Standard vs Renju

Why more than one ruleset?

Gomoku favors Black (the first player). Standard leaves that advantage in place but only counts an EXACT five as a win. Renju instead restricts Black with forbidden moves to balance the advantage.

Win conditions

Standard: exactly five in a row wins; six or more (an overline) is neither a win nor forbidden — the game simply continues. Renju: Black must make exactly five to win; White wins with five or more, overlines included.

Black's forbidden moves (Renju only)

Standard has no forbidden moves at all — both Black and White may play anywhere. Renju forbids Black (and only Black) from making a double-three (one move, two open threes), a double-four (one move, two fours), or an overline (six or more in a row). White has no forbidden moves in Renju either.

Same position, different ruling

Below is a point where Black playing there would connect six stones in a row. Under Standard it has no special effect at all — not a win, not forbidden, the game just continues. Under Renju it's an overline, forbidden — Black cannot play there.

Summary

Standard keeps the rules simple but leaves Black's first-move advantage intact; Renju restricts Black for a more balanced game at the cost of a longer list of forbidden-move rules to learn. See the "Renju forbidden moves" guide for the full rules and worked examples.