Gomoku Opening Patterns
In professional Renju tournaments, the first three moves must follow one of 26 designated opening patterns. Understanding these openings is essential for competitive play — and gives you a huge advantage in casual games too.
Two Categories of Openings
Direct Openings (Odd-numbered)
The second stone (White) is placed directly adjacent to the first stone (Black center). These tend to be more aggressive — Black builds immediate line pressure.
Indirect Openings (Even-numbered)
The second stone (White) is placed one space away from the first stone. These are more flexible — creating diagonal potential and multi-directional threats.
The 26 Designated Openings
Below is a summary of each opening pattern. In Renju, the first move is always the center (H8 on a 15×15 board), and the second and third moves determine which of the 26 openings is being played.
Opening 1: Direct (花月, Kagetsu)
White placed directly adjacent to Black's center stone on the horizontal axis. The most aggressive opening — Black immediately contests for central control. Historically considered slightly favorable for Black.
Opening 2: Indirect (浦月, Pugetsu)
White placed one intersection diagonally from Black's center stone. Creates a balanced position with diagonal potential. A flexible opening favored by positional players.
Opening 3: Direct-3 (松月, Shōgetsu)
Third stone extends the horizontal line. Builds immediate line pressure along one axis. Black must be careful not to overcommit to a single direction.
Opening 4: Indirect-3 (菊月, Kikgetsu)
Third stone placed at a diagonal offset. Creates cross-pattern potential and multi-directional threats. Known for its balanced attack and defense options.
Opening 5: Direct-5 (銀月, Gingetsu)
Fifth position variant extending the direct line. Maximum pressure along the primary axis. Forces White into defensive responses early.
Opening 6: Indirect-5 (明星, Myōjō)
Fifth position creating a star-like cross pattern. Multi-directional threats emerge from diagonal positioning. Popular in modern tournament play.
Opening 7: Direct-7 (金星, Kinsei)
Seventh position variant. An advanced tactical opening that creates multiple threat axes. Requires precise calculation from both players.
Opening 8: Indirect-7 (木星, Mokusei)
Seventh position diagonal variant. Strategic flexibility with options to shift between attack patterns. Favored by players who prefer long-term positional play.
Opening 9: Direct-9 (土月, Dogetsu)
Ninth position on the direct line. Less common but effective when White is unfamiliar with the response patterns. Can lead to complex middlegame positions.
Opening 10: Indirect-9 (冥王星, Meiōsei)
Ninth position diagonal. A surprise opening that can unsettle opponents expecting more conventional patterns. Rewards creative play.
Opening 11: Direct-11 (彗星, Suisei)
Eleventh position specialist opening. Rarely seen in casual play but studied by competitive Renju players. Leads to sharp tactical positions.
Opening 12: Indirect-11 (天王星, Tennōsei)
Eleventh position diagonal variant. A counter-strategy opening that aims to neutralize White's defensive setup. Requires deep opening preparation.
Opening 13: Direct-13 (海王星, Kaiōsei)
Thirteenth position. Advanced players only — the complex pattern requires memorization of multiple response trees. Part of modern Renju theory.
Opening 14: Indirect-13 (水星, Suisei-alt)
Thirteenth position diagonal. Creates a wide spatial distribution that offers many branching possibilities. Strategic depth increases with board complexity.
Opening 15: Direct-15 (火月, Kagetsu-alt)
Fifteenth position extending the horizontal axis. Maximum width creates both opportunities and vulnerabilities. A high-risk, high-reward choice.
Opening 16: Indirect-15 (山月, Sangetsu)
Fifteenth position diagonal. The wide diagonal spread creates potential for multi-directional forks. Popular in online Renju play.
Opening 17: Direct-17 (新月, Shingetsu)
Seventeenth position. An extension opening that builds on established patterns. Requires understanding of the earlier positions in the sequence.
Opening 18: Indirect-17 (残月, Zangetsu)
Seventeenth position diagonal. A patient opening that builds positional advantages gradually. Favored by defensive-minded players.
Opening 19: Direct-19 (三日月, Mikazuki)
Nineteenth position. Creates asymmetric patterns that can be difficult for opponents to read. Useful in match play against familiar opponents.
Opening 20: Indirect-19 (名月, Meigetsu)
Nineteenth position diagonal. Known for its elegant pattern and balanced options. A favorite in Japanese Renju tradition.
Opening 21: Direct-21 (望月, Bōgetsu)
Twenty-first position. One of the more complex Direct openings. Requires extensive study to play correctly at the tournament level.
Opening 22: Indirect-21 (下弦月, Kagengetsu)
Twenty-first position diagonal. The extended diagonal pattern creates unique tactical situations. Less studied than earlier openings.
Opening 23: Direct-23 (満月, Mangetsu)
Twenty-third position. A mature opening with well-documented theory. Both attack and defense patterns have been extensively analyzed.
Opening 24: Indirect-23 (上弦月, Jōgengetsu)
Twenty-third position diagonal. Creates a balanced framework that supports multiple strategic approaches. Well-suited for positional players.
Opening 25: Direct-25 (雨月, Ugetsu)
Twenty-fifth position. The widest Direct opening pattern. Creates an expansive formation with multiple threat directions. Theoretically deep.
Opening 26: Indirect-26 (峡月, Kyōgetsu)
The final designated opening. The widest Indirect pattern, creating the most spatially distributed formation. A complex opening that rewards deep study.
The Japanese names for openings are shown where available. In Renju tournament notation, the opening number and the positions of the first three stones fully define the opening. For competitive play, the Renju International Federation (RIF) maintains the official opening classification at renju.net.
Strategic Principles for Openings
- Control the center: The first stone should always be at or near the center
- Claim key directions: Your opening should establish presence in at least 2 directions
- Don't overcommit: Avoid placing all early stones in one line — spread to create options
- Respond to the opponent: Choose your opening based on what your opponent plays