Why choose colours after placing stones?
In ordinary Gomoku, Black moves first. Swap2 makes the opening player offer a position before either player owns a colour. Because the other player can choose either side, an opening that strongly favours one colour can be handed straight to the opponent.
The aim is a more balanced opening decision. It does not guarantee that every position is equal, and it does not make every game a draw. Once colours are decided, both players still need to build threats and defend.
The Swap2 opening, step by step
- Player A places three stones: Black, White, then Black. They can use any empty intersections on the 15 × 15 board. A is not yet committed to Black.
- Player B chooses: take Black, take White, or place two more stones.
- If B adds two: B places White, then Black. Player A now chooses Black or White. A cannot ask for another pair of stones.
- White plays next: once colours are fixed, the player holding White makes the next move. Players then alternate, placing one stone on an empty intersection.
The first player places both colours during setup. That is part of the opening, not an ordinary alternating turn. The extra-two option belongs only to Player B at the first colour decision.
Who plays next in each branch?
| B’s decision | Final colours | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| Take Black | A is White; B is Black | A plays White |
| Take White | A is Black; B is White | B plays White |
| Add White + Black | A chooses; B takes the other colour | Whoever holds White |
Example: A places the first three stones, then B chooses White. B immediately makes the next white move. If B instead adds two stones and A chooses Black, B again plays White next.
Exactly five wins in Gomoku Party
After the opening, connect exactly five of your stones horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The five can be blocked at either end and still win. A line of six or more is legal but does not win along that line. A full board with no winning line is a draw.
There are no Renju-style forbidden double-threes or double-fours in this Swap2 ruleset. A move making six along one direction can still win if it also makes exactly five in another direction. Count each line separately.
Swap2 names the opening procedure; Gomoku Party combines it with these exact-five rules. When playing elsewhere, check the event’s complete rules as well as its opening name.
Swap2, Freestyle and Renju
- Swap2 in Gomoku Party
- Three-stone setup, optional extra two, colour choice, then exact-five play without forbidden moves.
- Freestyle
- Players alternate from the start. Five or more in a row wins.
- Renju
- Black needs exactly five and has forbidden-move restrictions. White can win with five or more. It is a separate ruleset, not another name for Swap2.
See the full ruleset overview for capture games and Caro. For reading threats after the opening, use the Gomoku strategy guide.
Try the opening with a friend
Play free in your browser and choose Swap2. It is the default for Quick Search, friend challenges and Daily Arena. For a private game, use Party Host and share the room code with a friend.
On your first attempt, follow the on-screen prompt for the stone colour or colour-choice decision. Try both branches: choose a colour after three stones in one game, then use the extra-two option in another. Notice that White is next in both cases.