Gomoku Openings: The First Moves That Decide the Game
The opening decides more Gomoku games than any other phase. Learn the strongest first moves, the difference between freestyle and forbidden-move rules, and why Black holds the initiative.
Most casual Gomoku games are decided in the first ten moves — not because of traps, but because the opening sets up the attacking shapes (open threes, broken threes, fours) that everything else builds on. Learn the fundamentals here, then put them to the test on the board.
Black moves first: the initiative is real
In freestyle (no forbidden moves) Gomoku, Black opens with a serious advantage. The classic approach is to keep the initiative: build an open three as early as possible and force White to answer instead of building their own attack.
The two strongest opening moves
- Flower Moon (花月): Black’s first move plus the 8/8 diagonal response — the classic winning opening that leads to a forced win with correct play.
- Plum Moon (浦月): the second most reliable black opening, built around the center and two diagonals.
Both are attacking openings: they create two or three threats at once, and White must address each one. If White defends passively, Black converts the open three into a five.
Freestyle vs forbidden-move rules
Under freestyle rules (what YiBoard uses by default), double-three, double-four, and overlines are all legal for both sides. Under forbidden-move (Renju) rules, Black is banned from double-three, double-four, and overline — which rebalances the game toward White and changes the whole opening theory.
A simple opening plan for beginners
- Play your first stone near the center — corners and edges are weak.
- On your second move, keep your stones diagonally close to the first one so they threaten two lines at once.
- After that, always look for the move that creates the most threats (an open three or a four), even if it means ignoring your opponent’s stones for a moment.
- If you cannot attack, defend the opponent’s open three immediately — a single open three almost always becomes a five.
FAQ
What is the best first move in Gomoku?
The center point (or one of the two points right next to it) is universally strongest. From there you can extend in any direction and build two lines at once.
Is there a winning strategy for Black?
In freestyle rules, yes in theory: with perfect play Black can force a win from the center opening (Flower Moon is the classic example). In practice this requires deep calculation and sharp play.
Does YiBoard use forbidden moves?
No. YiBoard’s default is freestyle: double-three, double-four, and overlines are all legal for both sides. We keep it simple so anyone can jump in and play.
A simple opening plan for beginners
- Open near the center
Play your first stone at or next to the center point so it can extend in any direction.
- Build two lines at once
Place your second stone diagonally close to the first, threatening two lines instead of one.
- Make the most threatening move
On every turn, look for the move that creates the most open threes or fours, even if it ignores your opponent for a moment.
- Defend when you cannot attack
Block the opponent’s open three immediately — a single open three almost always becomes a five.