I wasn't sure if these ones were worth a thread of their own, but I don't think they'll fit into another thread all that well.

While it is played on a Go board, Gomoku (also known as Five-In-A-Row) is a completely different game. Much like Go, the rules are deceptively simple. Players take turns placing their stones on the intersections of a 19 x 19 grid until one player has five in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

However, without opening restrictions, Gomoku is solvable, which I believe is why Renju was created. It is played on a 15 x 15 board, and there are additional restrictions that take away the advantage of playing first. I've actually never played Renju, so to explain the rules I'd just be quoting a source like Wiki.

So, are there any Gomoku or Renju players out there? These games are a little more obscure, so I won't be shocked if this thread doesn't go far.

I once ported a computerized renju. Never really got into it though.

Keryo-Pente ftw imo. I think Connect6 is the hot new n-in-a-row game, though.

I'm not an expert on this game but you don't have it quite right. It's not solvable on a 15x15 board, although it's known that the first player has a strategy to force a win. However the first player has a large advantage and wins a large % between experts.

With the change of rules, the second player now has a forced win, but no one knows what it is (because the game isn't solved) and in practice the 2nd player has only a minimal advantage among experts.

The change in rules is very simple: the first player makes a few moves, then the other player decides who takes which colour stones.

I'll take your word on the "solvable" bit; I'm no expert either.

Wiki shows quite a few differences in the rules between Gomoku and Renju, including the one you gave:

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The opening sequence differs from ordinary Gomoku:

1. The first player places 2 black stones and 1 white stone on the board.
2. The second player now chooses whether to play black or white.
3. White then places one more stone on the board.
4. Black places 2 stones on the board.
5. White removes one of the two black stones from the previous move.
6. White places a white stone.

After this sequence is complete, Black and White continue to take turns to place their stones.
There are certain moves that Black is not allowed to make:

• Double three - Black cannot place a stone that builds two separate lines with three black stones in unbroken rows (i.e. rows not blocked by white stones).
• Double four - Black cannot place a stone that builds two separate lines with four black stones in a row.
• Overline - six or more black stones in a row.

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But I think there are a few different variations of both Gomoku and Renju, and I'm sure there could be more reliable sources than Wiki of which rules, if any, are "official".

I think I remember playing Pente as a kid, but I've long since forgotten. I'd have to play some games again to get an appreciation for the difference the Keryo-Pente rules make. The wiki page I linked has a lot of other variations as well.

When you mentioned Connect 6 I assumed it was a variation on Connect 4, but it looks fairly closely related to Gomoku. It seems they've found a way of minimizing black's advantage while keeping the rules simple. I'm eager to try that one out.

Anyone ever play any of these online?

Try Vying Games. I've only played against the bots and they're bad, but it gives you a shot at trying out the games.

Hey!

I`m renju player, so if anyone has questions I`m happy to answer them
brag:I´m pretty good as well

www.renju.net is the main site for info

I often see a couple guys playing it at the coffeeshop where I replay some games - looks nasty - we've chatted a bit but I don't think I'd pick it up for fun