How to Play Pente

Play the game on the intersections of the lines between the squares. You play on a grid of almost any size. A go board works best, but a checkerboard also works.

Take one color of stones, while your opponent takes the other color. Play the first stone on the center intersection of the board then alternate colors, always playing a stone on the intersection of the lines between the squares.

Reduce the advantage of the player who plays first by adding a rule. The first player's second stone must be played no closer than 3 spaces from the first stone.

Capture stones belonging to your opponent by enclosing exactly 2 opposing stones between 2 of your own in any direction, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Remove captured stones immediately.

Win the game in two ways. One method is by making an unbroken line of 5 stones in any direction such as vertical, horizontal or diagonal. The other method consists of capturing 5 pairs of your opponent's stones.