Board Game Arena - User contributions [en]

Tips gomoku

2022-06-27T15:12:42Z

David Rabahy:

Placing first in a swap variant: do not place the black pieces within 7 spaces of each other unless they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

Generally, a strong defense is critical; never leave an open-2-in-a-row or any 3-in-a-row alone. Strive to deny your opponent any opportunity to build up. A wise person once said, "Don't lose". You cannot win if you lose.

Playing pieces (in priority order, i.e. timing is everything!)
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) either explicitly concede or implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two open-at-one-end 4-in-a-rows
# block an open 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you think you might have a forced win, double and triple check it before pursuing it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
## take into account your opponents plays in case they form a threat
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area but it is often better to delay these
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them

Tips gomoku

2022-06-27T15:04:22Z

David Rabahy:

Placing first in a swap variant: do not place the black pieces within 7 spaces of each other unless they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

Generally, a strong defense is critical; never leave an open-2-in-a-row or any 3-in-a-row alone. Strive to deny your opponent any opportunity to build up. A wise person once said, "Don't lose". You cannot win if you lose.

Playing pieces (in priority order)
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) either explicitly concede or implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2022-06-27T14:56:11Z

David Rabahy:

To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge

Playing pieces
# if you have the choice, then be black to go first; it's a big advantage
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2022-06-27T14:52:30Z

David Rabahy:

To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are close than 3 spaces to the edge

# if you have the choice, then be black to go first; it's a big advantage
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2022-06-27T14:52:16Z

David Rabahy: add guidance on swapping

# To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are close than 3 spaces to the edge
#
# if you have the choice, then be black to go first; it's a big advantage
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2021-09-25T16:06:53Z

David Rabahy:

# if you have the choice, then be black to go first; it's a big advantage
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2021-08-24T17:44:48Z

David Rabahy:

# if you have the choice, then be black to go first; it's a big advantage
# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
# if you have a forced win, pursue it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces
# consider playing the long pro, swp or swp2 variants for better balance

Tips gomoku

2021-08-06T20:33:27Z

David Rabahy:

# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
# divide your opponent's pieces

Tips gomoku

2021-08-01T04:03:46Z

David Rabahy:

# finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
## an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
## two 4-in-a-rows
# block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
# make an open 4-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
# block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
## with strong offense: block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
## assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
### block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
### assess overall game situation
#### if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
#### if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
# combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
# work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
## look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
## delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
## delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
## if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
# avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area

Tips gomoku

2021-07-31T22:00:03Z

David Rabahy: Created page with "1) finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively) 2) (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has 2.1) an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row 2.2) two 4-in..."

1) finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
2) (optional) implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
2.1) an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
2.2) two 4-in-a-rows
3) block a 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
4) make an open 4-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
5) block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
5.1) with strong offense: block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
5.2) assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
5.2.1) block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
5.2.2) assess overall game situation
5.2.2.1) if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
5.2.2.2) if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
6) combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
7) work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
7.1) look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
7.2) delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
7.3) delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
7.4) if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area
8) avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area