Mills | Nine Men's Morris - Strategic board game

Enhance your strategic skills with Mills, also known as Nine Men's Morris, a captivating classic board game where the objective is to form rows of three pieces. Seize the opportunity to eliminate an opponent's piece every time you assemble a row. This game is easy to grasp like Tic Tac Toe yet provides a depth of strategy akin to iconic games such as Chess or Go.

The history of Nine Men’s Morris

Ancient Origins

The earliest known traces of Nine Men’s Morris appear in the ruins of the Bronze Age city of Ur in Mesopotamia, dating back to about 3000 BCE. This finding suggests that the game was a popular pastime amongst the early city dwellers. The game’s presence in the archaeological records of ancient Egypt, specifically in the temple of Kurna (circa 1400 BCE), further testifies to its antiquity and widespread appeal.

Roman and Medieval Europe

The game gained significant popularity in the Roman Empire. Evidence of Nine Men’s Morris boards carved into Roman architecture, such as the Colosseum, indicates its widespread popularity among all classes. The game persevered through the Middle Ages in Europe, becoming a mainstay in taverns and homes. Medieval manuscripts, including the famous “Libro de los juegos” (Book of Games) commissioned by King Alfonso X of Castile in the 13th century, feature detailed instructions and illustrations of the game, underscoring its importance in medieval culture.

Global Spread and Variations

The game’s simplicity allowed it to traverse cultures and geographies. Variations of Nine Men’s Morris emerged globally, with notable versions like “Merels” in England, “Mühle” in Germany, and “Morabaraba” in southern Africa, each adapting to local cultures and preferences. In the 20th century, Nine Men’s Morris experienced a revival due to increased interest in traditional board games. Modern adaptations have seen it transition to online platforms, making it accessible to a new generation of players.

Gameplay of Nine Men's Morris

The gameplay starts with the setup phase. You get to remove an opponent's piece whenever you create a string of three pieces on one line. As this rule is in effect during setup as well as regular play, you will need to be strategic from the first moment of the game. You can't remove an opponent's piece that is part of a three-piece string (or mill) unless there are no other pieces of theirs to remove.

    Setup Phase: Players taking turns laying their pieces on vacant points. You each have nine pieces, so you choose from among the 24 points on the board to place your pieces. Each player alternates placing a piece. This is where you must use strategy, seeing where your opponent is placing a piece and where it will be advantageous for you to place yours. You want to block your opponent from creating a string of three pieces on one line, or they will be able to remove one of your pieces. You are also looking for your chance to create a string of three pieces on one line.

    Regular Phase: After all 18 pieces have been laid down, the regular phase begins. In this phase, a turn consists of sliding a piece along a line to a vacant point.

Whenever a player creates a string of three pieces on one line, they immediately remove one of their opponent's pieces. (This can happen during the setup phase or the regular phase.) An opponent's piece that is part of a string may not be removed unless no other piece is available.

Note: Sliding a piece one space on one turn, then back to its original space on a subsequent turn is a legal sequence.

In a common variation, once a player has only three pieces left, they can move a piece to any vacant position on the board and not just to an adjacent vacant position.

Hints for Players

1. If your opponent is threatening to make a line of three, see if you can block it.

2. Taking the opponent’s counters is sometimes a good way of blocking them.

3. You can move your counter out of a line of three and then move it back on the next turn to complete the line again and remove an opponent’s piece.

4. One very powerful setup is to be able to move a piece back and forth between two lines, completing one and breaking the other each move.

Experience a variety of gameplay options:

- Online multiplayer: Engage in quick matches globally without any login requirements.

- Offline multiplayer: Challenge your friends on a single device in hot seat mode, ideal for leisurely journeys or group gatherings.

- Computer opponents: Test your abilities against three AI adversaries offering varying levels of difficulty.

- High Scores: Compare your achievements and game statistics with other players.

- Classic Board Game: Just like Checkers, Chess, and other beloved classics, Mills is a must-have addition to every board game collection.

Unleash your cognitive prowess by playing this free online game on your mobile device. Delve into the realm of strategic gameplay that both novices and seasoned players can enjoy. Whether online or offline, Mills promises a fast-paced yet thought-provoking experience.

Challenge yourself against skilled opponents worldwide by creating mills and depriving them of their stones. Known by various names such as Brwanjeya, Char Bhar, or चर भर, this game has similar variants like Three Men's Morris and others. Explore the vast universe of traditional board games with Mills and relish the thrill of strategic conquest.