CBGChinese Board Games GuideRules and annotated records for strategy learners

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Gomoku Rules and Record Studies

Five-in-a-row rules, threat patterns, opening shapes, and annotated records.

Articles
44
Primary format
Rules plus records
User path
Read, compare, replay mentally
Rules encyclopedia

Read these rules before the record examples

This hub keeps the game rule sheet, notation, source note, and lesson archive together so a reader can verify the game before comparing outside records.

Rule sourceOfficial Documents of RIFRenju and five-in-a-row rule families, tournament-document context, and threat terminology boundaries.NotationGrid-coordinate threat notation1. Black G8 | White J8Record contextRenjuNet Game Record ContextLinked only as external context. RenjuNet game contents are not copied into this site, and composed lessons are not labeled as RenjuNet records.
Setup

Gomoku and Renju-family lessons start from a grid where stones do not move after placement. The setup is simple, but the rule family determines whether forbidden moves, opening rules, or tournament restrictions matter.

Win condition

The basic goal is to make five in a row, while formal Renju contexts add rule-family restrictions. Record lessons should separate a plain five-in-a-row idea from a competition rule boundary.

Legal move

A legal move places a stone on an empty point. Threat reading then depends on open threes, broken threes, open fours, double threats, and any rule-family restrictions in force.

Turn order

Black and White alternate placements. The same coordinate can mean attack, defense, or forced reply depending on whose turn it is and what threat was created one move earlier.

Notation bridge

Grid coordinates let the reader mark exact stones and threat lanes. The notation is only useful when read with the threat type, not as a plain list of occupied points.

Common rule trap

The common trap is blocking the visible four while missing the open three or double-threat behind it. A record example should name the hidden second threat, not only the final five.

Variant line

Gomoku, Renju, Swap, and Swap2 contexts are not interchangeable. This site treats formal Renju documents as boundary references and keeps composed examples honest about their rule family.

Record reading bridge

Beginner records show one threat, intermediate records compare a defensive reply, and advanced records test whether a forcing branch and a quiet conversion both survive the rule family.

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Search within these 44 lessons by notation, topic, game family, or record level.

44 matches
Gomoku / advanced / Teaching recordsGomoku Advanced Threat Record: Black K8 Center Route1. Black G8 | White J8The advanced shape here layers a branch, a quiet move, and a finish; Black K8 is only useful if the later reply still supports the plan. Board cue: center stones around G8, open-three lane I9-K8, and defensive point J9. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. The notation uses Gomoku grid coordinates. The first two entries are 1. Black G8 | White J8; 2. Black I9 | White F8, which keeps the explanation tied to variation discipline, layered threats, quiet preparation, and clean conversion.Gomoku / advanced / Teaching recordsGomoku Advanced Threat Record: Black L8 Route Repair1. Black K8 | White J9The advanced shape here layers a branch, a quiet move, and a finish; Black L8 is only useful if the later reply still supports the plan. Board cue: center stones around K8, open-three lane E8-L8, and defensive point H8. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. The notation uses Gomoku grid coordinates. The first two entries are 1. Black K8 | White J9; 2. Black E8 | White K9, which keeps the explanation tied to variation discipline, layered threats, quiet preparation, and clean conversion.Gomoku / beginner / RulesGomoku Beginner Rules: Center Route Setup with Black G81. Black L8 | White H8The beginner Gomoku center route rule card is built as an encyclopedia checkpoint: setup, win condition, legal move, turn order, notation bridge, common rule trap, and record-reading bridge all point back to open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. The short line 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8 is included only to make the rule concrete. Board cue: center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. It does not replace the source rules.Gomoku / beginner / RulesGomoku Beginner Rules: Corner Pressure Setup with Black J81. Black H8 | White H9A beginner Gomoku corner pressure rule card should read like a compact encyclopedia entry before it reads like a lesson: setup, win condition, legal move, turn order, notation bridge, common rule trap, variant boundary, then record-reading bridge. The short line 1. Black H8 | White H9; 2. Black I8 | White G8 is included only to make the rule concrete. Board cue: center stones around H8, open-three lane I8-J8, and defensive point I9. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. It does not replace the source rules.Gomoku / beginner / Teaching recordsGomoku Beginner First-Plan Record: Black G8 Route Repair1. Black L8 | White H8The beginner shape here is not a full opening tree; it is a small short beginner record record where center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8 explains the first decision. Board cue: center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. The notation uses Gomoku grid coordinates. The first two entries are 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8, which keeps the explanation tied to visible goals, obvious mistakes, and a record line that can be replayed without a live board.Gomoku / beginner / Teaching recordsGomoku Beginner First-Plan Record: Black J8 Shape Lesson1. Black H8 | White H9This beginner Gomoku short beginner record is a 6-entry line: Black J8 appears before the first branch, White I9 supplies the answer, and defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live is visible on the first pass. Board cue: center stones around H8, open-three lane I8-J8, and defensive point I9. Rule check: open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing. The notation uses Gomoku grid coordinates. The first two entries are 1. Black H8 | White H9; 2. Black I8 | White G8, which keeps the explanation tied to visible goals, obvious mistakes, and a record line that can be replayed without a live board.

Complete archive

44 indexed record lessons for this section.

By record level

Archive map

Start with one section, then compare the neighboring level or game family.

Beginner records12 lessonsFirst: Gomoku Beginner Rules: Center Route Setup with Black G8Intermediate records12 lessonsFirst: Gomoku Intermediate Rules: Route Repair Setup with Black L8Advanced records12 lessonsFirst: Gomoku Advanced Threat Record: Black K8 Center RouteAll-level reference notes8 lessonsFirst: Gomoku All-Level Rules: Final Tempo Setup with Black K8

Topic index

Choose the kind of record work you want before opening the full archive.

Beginner records

12 lessons
beginnerGomoku Beginner Rules: Center Route Setup with Black G8Gomoku guide to center route rules note: read center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8, follow 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8, and separate the rule cue from habit.beginnerGomoku Beginner Rules: Corner Pressure Setup with Black J8This Gomoku page makes defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live visible by pairing Black J8 with White I9 in a corner pressure rules note.beginnerGomoku Beginner First-Plan Record: Black G8 Route RepairA compact Gomoku route repair first-plan line where Black G8 meets White J8, with open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing as the check point.beginnerGomoku Beginner First-Plan Record: Black J8 Shape LessonGomoku shape lesson first-plan line: new readers replay Black J8, test White I9, and catch defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live.beginnerGomoku Opening Lesson: Black G8 Center RouteGomoku guide to center route opening pattern: read center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8, follow 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8, and separate the rule cue from habit.beginnerGomoku Opening Lesson: Black J8 Corner PressureThis Gomoku page makes blocking the visible four while ignoring the open three behind it visible by pairing Black J8 with White I9 in a corner pressure opening pattern.beginnerGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black I9 Final TempoFive in a row final tempo endgame pattern: the line opens 1. Black H9 | White I8; 2. Black G8 | White J8 and turns on open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing.beginnerGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black F8 River LaneReplay Black F8 in this Gomoku river lane endgame pattern, then use White K8 to see why playing the center stone before checking the forbidden-pattern boundary fails.beginnerGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black K8 Route RepairA compact Gomoku route repair strategy position where Black K8 meets White J9, with open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing as the check point.beginnerGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black J9 Shape LessonGomoku shape lesson strategy position: new readers replay Black J9, test White E8, and catch defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live.beginnerGomoku Record Comparison: Timing Choice with Black E8Timing choice comparison path for five in a row: name open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing, replay 1. Black I9 | White F8; 2. Black K8 | White J9, and compare the next lesson.beginnerGomoku Record Comparison: Safe Reply with Black K9Gomoku learners inspect center stones around F8, open-three lane J9-K9, and defensive point L8 in this safe reply comparison path before trusting Black K9.

Intermediate records

12 lessons
intermediateGomoku Intermediate Rules: Route Repair Setup with Black L8Gomoku guide to route repair rules note: read center stones around K8, open-three lane E8-L8, and defensive point H8, follow 1. Black K8 | White J9; 2. Black E8 | White K9, and separate the rule cue from habit.intermediateGomoku Intermediate Rules: Shape Lesson Setup with Black H8This Gomoku page makes defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live visible by pairing Black H8 with White H9 in a shape lesson rules note.intermediateGomoku Intermediate Reply Record: Black H9 Timing Choice TurnFive in a row timing choice reply line: the line opens 1. Black E8 | White K9; 2. Black L8 | White H8 and turns on open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing.intermediateGomoku Intermediate Reply Record: Black I8 Safe Reply TurnReplay Black I8 in this Gomoku safe reply line, then use White G8 to see why defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live fails.intermediateGomoku Opening Lesson: Black H9 Final TempoFinal tempo opening pattern for five in a row: name open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing, replay 1. Black E8 | White K9; 2. Black L8 | White H8, and compare the next lesson.intermediateGomoku Opening Lesson: Black I8 River LaneGomoku learners inspect center stones around K9, open-three lane H8-I8, and defensive point G8 in this river lane opening pattern before trusting Black I8.intermediateGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black G8 Route RepairGomoku guide to route repair endgame pattern: read center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8, follow 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8, and separate the rule cue from habit.intermediateGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black J8 Shape LessonThis Gomoku page makes blocking the visible four while ignoring the open three behind it visible by pairing Black J8 with White I9 in a shape lesson endgame pattern.intermediateGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black I9 Timing ChoiceFive in a row timing choice strategy position: the line opens 1. Black H9 | White I8; 2. Black G8 | White J8 and turns on open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing.intermediateGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black F8 Safe ReplyReplay Black F8 in this Gomoku safe reply strategy position, then use White K8 to see why making a loose four that gives White a single clean block fails.intermediateGomoku Record Comparison: Center Route with Black K8A compact Gomoku center route comparison path where Black K8 meets White J9, with open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing as the check point.intermediateGomoku Record Comparison: Corner Pressure with Black J9Gomoku corner pressure comparison path: intermediate readers replay Black J9, test White E8, and catch making a loose four that gives White a single clean block.

Advanced records

12 lessons
advancedGomoku Advanced Threat Record: Black K8 Center RouteGomoku guide to center route threat sequence: read center stones around G8, open-three lane I9-K8, and defensive point J9, follow 1. Black G8 | White J8; 2. Black I9 | White F8, and separate the rule cue from habit.advancedGomoku Advanced Threat Record: Black L8 Route RepairA compact Gomoku route repair threat sequence where Black L8 meets White H8, with open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing as the check point.advancedGomoku Advanced Rules: Timing Choice Setup with Black E8Timing choice rules note for five in a row: name open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing, replay 1. Black I9 | White F8; 2. Black K8 | White J9, and compare the next lesson.advancedGomoku Advanced Rules: Safe Reply Setup with Black K9Gomoku learners inspect center stones around F8, open-three lane J9-K9, and defensive point L8 in this safe reply rules note before trusting Black K9.advancedGomoku Advanced Reply Record: Black L8 Center Route TurnGomoku guide to center route reply line: read center stones around K8, open-three lane E8-L8, and defensive point H8, follow 1. Black K8 | White J9; 2. Black E8 | White K9, and separate the rule cue from habit.advancedGomoku Advanced Reply Record: Black H8 Corner Pressure TurnThis Gomoku page makes defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live visible by pairing Black H8 with White H9 in a corner pressure reply line.advancedGomoku Opening Lesson: Black H9 Timing ChoiceTiming choice opening pattern for five in a row: name open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing, replay 1. Black E8 | White K9; 2. Black L8 | White H8, and compare the next lesson.advancedGomoku Opening Lesson: Black I8 Safe ReplyGomoku learners inspect center stones around K9, open-three lane H8-I8, and defensive point G8 in this safe reply opening pattern before trusting Black I8.advancedGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black G8 Center RouteGomoku guide to center route endgame pattern: read center stones around L8, open-three lane H9-G8, and defensive point J8, follow 1. Black L8 | White H8; 2. Black H9 | White I8, and separate the rule cue from habit.advancedGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black J8 Corner PressureThis Gomoku page makes answering the last stone instead of the double-threat point visible by pairing Black J8 with White I9 in a corner pressure endgame pattern.advancedGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black I9 Final TempoFive in a row final tempo strategy position: the line opens 1. Black H9 | White I8; 2. Black G8 | White J8 and turns on open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing.advancedGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black F8 River LaneReplay Black F8 in this Gomoku river lane strategy position, then use White K8 to see why building a broken three with no follow-up intersection fails.

All-level reference notes

8 lessons
all-levelsGomoku All-Level Rules: Final Tempo Setup with Black K8A compact Gomoku final tempo rules note where Black K8 meets White J9, with open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing as the check point.all-levelsGomoku All-Level Rules: River Lane Setup with Black J9Gomoku river lane rules note: mixed-level readers replay Black J9, test White E8, and catch defending a remote threat while the open-four lane stays live.all-levelsGomoku Opening Lesson: Black E8 Route RepairRoute repair opening pattern for five in a row: name open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing, replay 1. Black I9 | White F8; 2. Black K8 | White J9, and compare the next lesson.all-levelsGomoku Opening Lesson: Black K9 Shape LessonGomoku learners inspect center stones around F8, open-three lane J9-K9, and defensive point L8 in this shape lesson opening pattern before trusting Black K9.all-levelsGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black L8 Timing ChoiceGomoku guide to timing choice endgame pattern: read center stones around K8, open-three lane E8-L8, and defensive point H8, follow 1. Black K8 | White J9; 2. Black E8 | White K9, and separate the rule cue from habit.all-levelsGomoku Endgame Lesson: Black H8 Safe ReplyThis Gomoku page makes blocking the visible four while ignoring the open three behind it visible by pairing Black H8 with White H9 in a safe reply endgame pattern.all-levelsGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black H9 Center RouteFive in a row center route strategy position: the line opens 1. Black E8 | White K9; 2. Black L8 | White H8 and turns on open three, broken three, open four, and double-threat timing.all-levelsGomoku Strategy Lesson: Black I8 Corner PressureReplay Black I8 in this Gomoku corner pressure strategy position, then use White G8 to see why making a loose four that gives White a single clean block fails.