About Wuzi Chess
Wuzi Chess is the Chinese name for the five-in-a-row game also known as Gomoku. Two players use black and white stones on a grid of lines, often 15×15 or 19×19. They place one stone per turn on an empty intersection and aim to form a straight line of five stones in any direction.
Many groups play freestyle rules, where any line of five or more wins. Other sets aim to balance the strong first move for black. They limit some patterns for black, such as forming two separate lines of three at once, and they do not count lines longer than five. Clubs and events often use a 15×15 board and opening rules that guide the first few moves near the center to keep play fair.
Good play turns on threats and timing. Build shapes that force answers, like an open four. That means four stones in a row with both ends empty. Create chances for a fork by setting moves that lead to two winning lines. Watch the center during the opening. Early control there speeds up attacks. Solid defense scans the board each turn and stops open fours right away. Then it looks for a block that cuts two threats at once. Every move matters. Bold attacks work best when the plan stays clear.