Gomoku is a traditional board game that originated in Japan, played on a grid of 15x15 intersections. The objective is to be the first player to align five of their pieces, either black or white, in a row, column, or diagonal. Players take turns placing their pieces on the board, and the game requires strategic thinking and foresight. The game is often played with simple rules, making it accessible to players of all ages. Gomoku can be played with physical pieces on a board or digitally through various online platforms. Its popularity has led to numerous variations, including Renju, which introduces additional rules to enhance gameplay.