Connect6
ABSTRACT STRATEGY GAME (2003) invented by PROFESSOR I-CHEN WU at NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY, Taiwan. Played on a 19×19 Go board with black + white stones. Signature rule: BLACK PLAYS 1 STONE ON MOVE 1, THEN BOTH PLAYERS PLACE 2 STONES PER TURN. Aim: get 6 stones in a row. This 'first-player places 1 + everyone else places 2' rule creates PROVEN FAIRNESS. Recognized as officially 'fair' game family. Rapidly growing community; Connect6 Olympiad; competitive online + tournament play.
Quick facts
Category
Mind Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇹🇼 Taiwan
Estimated origin
2003 Prof I-Chen Wu formalization; Computer Olympiad 2005+; academic + hobbyist growth
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Get 6 stones in a row (horizontal, vertical, diagonal); first player to do so wins.
Rules
Basic rules
Move 1: Black plays 1 stone on empty intersection
First-move balance.
Move 2+: Each player places 2 stones per turn (either color, on empty intersections)
Signature '2 stones per turn' rule.
First to 6-in-a-row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) wins
Standard N-in-a-row objective.
No captures
Purely placement game.
Draw possible if board fills without 6-in-a-row
Rare draw condition.
Scoring
Get 6 stones in a row.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| 6-in-a-row achieved | WIN |
| Draw (rare) | 0.5 to each player |
Win condition · 6 stones in a row.
Equipment
19×19 Go board
Standard Go equipment repurposed
Black + white Go stones
Standard Go stones
Game clock (tournament)
Time controls typical
Terminology
- Connect6
- '6-in-a-row connection' — the winning goal.
- Fair Rules
- The '2 stones per turn' balance provably eliminates first-player advantage.
- Six
- Successful 6-stone line.
- Threat
- Position where opponent must respond to prevent 6-in-a-row.
Major competitions
Computer Olympiad Connect6
annual · Global (rotating; AI + human categories) · since 2005
Connect6 World Championships
annual · Global (Taiwan-dominant) · since 2006
Where it is played
Governing bodies
International Connect6 Federation
Founded 2006 · Taiwan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Prof I-Chen Wu (inventor + academic promoter)
- Computer Olympiad Connect6 champions (rotating annually)
- Taiwan Connect6 community leaders
Frequently asked
Why '2 stones per turn'?+
In traditional N-in-a-row games (Gomoku, Renju), Black has a strong first-move advantage. Connect6's inventor Prof I-Chen Wu designed the '1 stone first move, then 2 stones per turn' rule to PROVE MATHEMATICALLY that the game is FAIR — no forced win for either player. This makes Connect6 the CLEANEST N-in-a-row game — no forbidden moves, no complex openings, still balanced.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Connect6— Wikipedia