Kiwi Cat Gomoku

About the Game

Kiwi Cat Gomoku is five in a row with original artwork from Kiwi Cat Games. You play pink paw-print stones and Kiwi Cat plays kiwi stones, taking turns on a 13×13 wooden board. The first player to line up five or more in a row – horizontally, vertically or diagonally – wins. It uses free-style rules with no forbidden moves, so it's easy to pick up.

Kiwi Cat has three difficulty levels. Easy sometimes misses your attacks, which is perfect if you're just learning. Normal blocks you seriously and looks for chances to attack. Hard thinks one move further ahead and tries to stop you from building open threes and fours. You can choose who moves first, and you get 3 undos per game.

Wins, losses and draws are recorded for each difficulty in your browser. Kiwi Cat chats while you play and gets nervous when you're close to five in a row. All the stones, the board and the sound effects were drawn and synthesized in code by Kiwi Cat Games.

How to Play Kiwi Cat Gomoku

1. Press Start Game, choose a difficulty (Easy, Normal or Hard) and who moves first, then press Play.
2. On your turn, tap an intersection on the board to place a paw-print stone. Kiwi Cat answers with a kiwi stone.
3. The first player to get five in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins.
4. Made a mistake? Press Undo to take back your last move and Kiwi Cat's reply (3 times per game).
5. If the board fills up before anyone gets five in a row, the game is a draw.

Controls

Phone and tablet

• Tap an intersection to place a stone.
• Undo and Restart are at the bottom. Top left goes back to difficulty select; top right pauses or mutes.

Computer

• Click an intersection to place a stone. Hovering shows a faint preview first.
• You can also play with just the keyboard: arrow keys move the pink cursor, Space or Enter places a stone, U undoes.

Tips and Strategy

• When your opponent has three in a row with both ends open (an open three), block it right away – otherwise it becomes an unstoppable four.
• Create two threats at once, such as a four and an open three. Your opponent can only block one of them.
• Keep an eye on the diagonals. They're the easiest lines to overlook.
• Start near the center of the board, where you have room to grow in every direction.

FAQ