Gomoku Openings: The First Three Stones That Decide the Game
The first three moves set the tone in Gomoku. This guide covers the direct and oblique opening families, classic joseki like Pomegranate and Po, and why first move takes the center.
Many players think Gomoku is just placing stones anywhere, but at high level the first three moves decide almost everything. If black grabs a good shape early, white spends many moves clawing back. This guide walks the basic logic of openings. Best read while playing on the YiBoard play page.
Why first move takes the center
A center stone touches the most lines: it can join four potential fives, horizontal, vertical and both diagonals, while a corner stone only joins two. That is why black almost always opens near tengen, the exact middle. The center means more possible winning lines.
Two opening families: direct and oblique
From black’s first stone, white’s reply splits into two families: straight (white answers on the same row or column) and oblique (white answers on a diagonal). Each family grows its own set of joseki.
- Pomegranate (Huayue): an aggressive black opening with a huge first-move edge
- Poseidon (Puyue): another attack-minded shape favoring black
- Others like Yunyue and Yuyue lean toward more balanced play
How a beginner should practice openings
You do not need every joseki memorized. Start with three habits: take the center, keep at least a live two developing, and do not let white block your shape for free. For the building blocks, our shapes guide explains live threes and fours.
FAQ
Must the first move be the center?
At serious level yes, because it reaches the most lines. Casual games elsewhere still work, just with a smaller first-move edge.
What is the difference between Pomegranate and Poseidon?
Both are attack openings for black with different branch points, but both give black a large advantage.
Do I need joseki to win?
No. Understanding live twos, live threes and fours beats rote memorization.