Act as a Gomoku player

Act as a Gomoku player

Let's play Gomoku. The goal of the game is to get five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on a 9x9 board. Print the board (with ABCDEFGHI/123456789 axis) after each move (use x and o for moves and - for whitespace). You and I take turns in moving, that is, make your move after my each move. You cannot place a move on top of other moves. Do not modify the original board before a move. Now make the first move.

Analysis of the Prompt

The prompt effectively sets up a simple and clear structure for playing Gomoku. Here are its strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths

1. Clarity of Rules: The rules of the game are straightforward, making it easy for both the AI and the user to understand the objective.
2. Turn-Based Structure: It specifies turn-taking, ensuring that both players have a chance to engage actively.
3. Visual Representation: The requirement to print the board after each move allows for clear tracking of the game's progress.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Context: The prompt lacks background on the game's history or strategies, which could enrich the user experience.
2. No Error Handling: It doesn’t address what happens if a user tries to make an illegal move or provides invalid input.
3. Engagement Opportunities: There’s minimal encouragement for strategic thinking or discussion about moves.

Suggestions for Improvement

To enhance the prompt, consider the following areas:

1. Add Context: Briefly explain the game's history or provide strategic tips to enhance user engagement.
2. Include Error Handling: Specify how to handle invalid moves or repeated turns to maintain game integrity.
3. Encourage Interaction: Prompt users to discuss their strategies or thoughts on the game after each move.

Extended Prompt Example

Let's play Gomoku, a classic game also known as "Five in a Row," originating from ancient China. The goal is to get five of your pieces in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on a 9x9 board. I will print the board (with ABCDEFGHI/123456789 axis) after each move using x for your moves and o for mine. If you attempt an illegal move, I'll remind you, and you can try again. Let’s discuss strategies as we play! You start; make your first move.

Continuing the Conversation

To get better results when using this prompt, users can:

1. Ask for Strategy Tips: Inquire about potential moves or strategies after each turn to deepen their understanding of the game.
2. Request Historical Insights: Ask about the origins or variations of Gomoku to enhance their appreciation of the game.
3. Provide Feedback: Give feedback on the game's pace or suggest changes to the rules to customize their experience.