Nine Men's Morris

Officially Nine Men's Morris (Merels, Mill)

Ancient 2-player abstract strategy game — dates to Roman Empire (200 AD Egyptian rooftop carvings). Players place + move 9 pieces on 24-point grid; form 'mills' (3 in a row) to capture opponent pieces. Solved as draw (2003); still played worldwide. Featured in Shakespeare (Midsummer Night's Dream).

📐24-point board (3 concentric squares)⏱~15 min🌤indoor

What is Nine Men's Morris?

Nine Men's Morris is one of the OLDEST board games in continuous play — carved evidence dating to ~200 AD Roman Empire (rooftop of Kurna temple, Egypt) + medieval England (Gloucester Cathedral 13th c) + Viking + Norse cultures. Also called MILL, MERELS, MERELLES (French), MÜHLE (German), MULINELLO (Italian). GAMEPLAY: 2 players; 24-point board (3 concentric squares connected by lines at midpoints); each player has 9 pieces of one color. 3 PHASES: (1) PLACEMENT — players alternate placing pieces on empty intersections. (2) MOVEMENT — after all 18 pieces placed, players alternate moving pieces along lines to adjacent empty intersections. (3) FLYING (endgame) — when player reduced to 3 pieces, they can move ('fly') to any empty intersection. GOAL: form a 'MILL' (3 pieces in straight line along board edges/spokes). Forming mill = REMOVE one opponent piece (rule: can't remove from opponent's mill unless no other option). WIN CONDITIONS: (1) Reduce opponent to 2 pieces (can't form mill). (2) Trap opponent so they can't move. HISTORY: Roman-era 'Ludus Latrunculorum' variant; Vikings played on ship boards (found in Gokstad ship burial); medieval Europe VERY popular — even Shakespeare mentions 'nine men's morris' in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595). VARIANTS: Three, Six, Twelve Men's Morris (different piece counts + boards). Twelve Men's Morris uses diagonal lines. COMPUTER-SOLVED: Ralph Gasser proved Nine Men's Morris is a DRAW with perfect play (1993 first analysis; full solve 2003). Modern competitive scene small but growing; WORLD MILL SPORTS ASSOCIATION organizes tournaments since 1990s. Popular in Germany (Mühle Weltmeisterschaft), UK, USA, Balkans. Considered 'chess of the ancients.'

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Form 3-in-a-row (mill) to capture opponent's pieces; reduce opponent to 2 pieces OR trap them so they can't move.

Match structure

Single-game or best-of-N in tournaments. Championship: Swiss + knockout format.

Rules

Basic rules

Setup: empty board, 9 pieces each
24-intersection board; each player holds 9 pieces off-board initially.
Phase 1: Placement (18 moves)
Players alternate PLACING one piece on any empty intersection. Continue until all 18 pieces placed.
Form 'mill' = 3 in a row
3 pieces of your color in straight line (along board edge or spoke) = MILL. Forming mill (during placement or movement) = REMOVE 1 opponent piece from board.
Cannot remove piece from opponent's mill
Unless opponent has NO pieces outside a mill (in which case any piece removable).
Phase 2: Movement
After placement complete: players alternate MOVING one piece along lines to ADJACENT empty intersection (no diagonal, unless variant).
Mills form during movement too
Moving piece into 3-in-a-row = new mill = remove opponent piece. Breaking + reforming mill (open + close) is valid + powerful tactic.
Phase 3: Flying (3 pieces left)
When player reduced to 3 pieces, they can 'FLY' — move a piece to ANY empty intersection (not restricted to adjacent). Underdog rule to prolong game.
Win conditions
(1) Reduce opponent to 2 pieces (can't form mill anymore). (2) Trap opponent so they have no legal move.

Advanced rules

Open + close mill tactic
Break existing mill (move piece out), then move it back to reform mill on next turn = capture another opponent piece. Powerful repeated tactic.
Double mill
Move that forms 2 mills simultaneously = capture 2 pieces (rare but devastating).
Mobility restriction
Similar to Othello: force opponent into positions where they can't move without giving up pieces.
Flying phase strategy
With 3 pieces + flying rule, defensive players can hold indefinitely; skilled attackers must force zugzwang (no good move for opponent).
Solved game (draw with perfect play)
Ralph Gasser proved 1993-2003 that Nine Men's Morris = DRAW with perfect play from both sides. Similar solve as checkers + Othello.
Twelve Men's Morris variant
Adds diagonal lines to board + 12 pieces per player; more complex + longer games; also often played.
Three + Six Men's Morris variants
Simpler versions with fewer pieces; often first taught to children; still strategic.
Blocking + trapping tactics
Endgame: create positions where opponent's remaining pieces have no legal moves.
Historical rule variations
Some variants allow diagonal moves; German 'Mühle' has slight timing differences; local rules exist.
Tournament formats
Swiss pairings + knockout; typically 15-30 min per player per game.

Scoring

Win by reducing opponent to 2 pieces OR trapping opponent. Tournament tracks match wins.

Action	Points
Capture opponent piece via mill	-1 to opponent's piece count
Reduce opponent to 2 pieces	Win
Trap opponent (no legal move)	Win
Match win	1 pt in tournament
Draw (agreement or repetition)	0.5 pt each

Win condition · Reduce opponent to 2 pieces (can't form mill anymore) OR opponent has no legal move.

Playing area

Called

24-point board (3 concentric squares)

Dimensions

3 concentric squares connected by 4 straight lines at midpoints; 24 intersections total. Standard board ~30-40cm across.

Distinctive 3-nested-squares design with connecting spokes. Some variants add diagonal lines. Pieces placed on 24 intersection points.

Equipment

Morris board
24-point board — wooden, printed cardboard, or drawn on flat surface. $5-30 for quality set.
18 pieces (9 per player)
Distinct colors (typically black/white or two contrasting colors). Wooden, stone, plastic, or bone historically.
Optional chess clock
Tournament play sometimes uses 15-30 min per side clocks.

Officiating

World Mill Sports Association + national federations organize official tournaments. Clock rules + repetition rules follow chess-style conventions.

Tournament director
Head arbiter
Round officials for pairings + timing

Strategies

Learn rules in 5 minutes
Simplest of ancient strategy games; rules genuinely simple. Play 10-20 casual games to internalize.
Placement phase priorities
Control CENTER intersections (most connected — 4 lines each). Corners are less valuable (2 lines only).
Prevent opponent mills
Block opponent's near-mill (2 pieces in row) BEFORE completing your own mill in early game.
Master open + close mill tactic
Break your own mill (move piece out), then move it back next turn to reform. Repeated captures = huge advantage.
Endgame flying strategy
When reduced to 3 pieces, flying rule = mobility. Skilled attackers use flying threats; defenders hold with mill positions.
Study Twelve Men's Morris too
Similar rules + more strategic depth. Diagonal lines add complexity.
Play online (BrainKing, Ludi Games, Yucata)
Free online play with rated ladder + tournaments. Global community.
Join German or Balkan tournaments
Most active competitive scenes; WMSA-affiliated events.
Consult solve database
Ralph Gasser's solve database available for study; understand perfect-play patterns.
Timeless entertainment value
1800+ year history means game has stood test of time; enjoy connection to Roman + Viking players.

Terminology

Mill: 3 pieces in straight line along board edge/spoke; capture opponent piece.
Merels / Merelles: French name for the game.
Mühle: German name (means 'mill').
Molino / Mulinello: Italian names.
Ninepenny Marl: Medieval English name.
Placement phase: First 18 moves — placing 9 pieces each.
Movement phase: Post-placement — moving pieces along lines to adjacent intersections.
Flying / Jumping: When reduced to 3 pieces, player can move to any empty intersection (not just adjacent).
Open + close mill: Powerful tactic — break existing mill then reform on next turn for repeat captures.
Double mill: Move that forms 2 mills simultaneously; capture 2 pieces.
Trap / Zugzwang: Position where opponent has no legal move (immediate loss).
Reduction: Reducing opponent's piece count via mill captures.
Blocking: Preventing opponent from forming mill by occupying key intersection.
Intersection: 24 points where lines meet on board; pieces go here (not squares like chess).
3 concentric squares: Distinctive board pattern with 3 nested squares + spoke connections.
Twelve Men's Morris: Variant with 12 pieces per player + diagonal lines; more complex.
Six / Three Men's Morris: Simpler variants with fewer pieces on smaller boards.
Draw by threefold repetition: Same position 3 times = draw (chess-style rule).
WMSA: World Mill Sports Association.
Ralph Gasser: Swiss computer scientist who solved the game 1993-2003.

Major competitions

Mühle Weltmeisterschaft (Nine Men's Morris World Championship)
annual · Germany + international · since 1990
German National Championship
annual · Germany · since 1985
Online Morris leagues (WMSA)
ongoing · worldwide online · since 2000
European Morris Championship
biennial · Europe · since 1995
Balkan Morris Championship
annual · Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria · since 2000

Where it is played

Governing bodies

World Mill Sports Association (WMSA)
Founded 1990 · worldwide (rotating)
German Mühle Association
Founded 1985 · Germany
Nine Men's Morris International Federation
Founded 2000 · international online + tournaments

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Various German + Balkan players dominate modern scene; smaller pro community
Ralph Gasser (Switzerland) — computer scientist who solved the game 1993-2003
Wolfgang Kirchner (Germany) — Multi-time German Champion
Notable historical: William Shakespeare (referenced game in Midsummer Night's Dream)
Modern online champions from Ludi Games + BrainKing platforms
Cornel Marsjan (Netherlands) — European champion
Zoran Radulović (Serbia) — Balkan champion

Records

Oldest continuous board game evidence
Roman Empire (Kurna Temple Egypt) — ~200 AD carved evidence (200)
Shakespeare reference
William Shakespeare — 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' 1595 (1595)
Game solved (draw with perfect play)
Ralph Gasser — 1993 initial + 2003 full solve (2003)
First World Championship
German Mühle Association — 1990 (Mühle Weltmeisterschaft) (1990)
Longest played board game in continuous history
Nine Men's Morris — ~1800+ years continuous (2024)
Viking Gokstad ship burial board
Gokstad ship 900 AD Norway — Board found in Viking burial (900)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Learn rules (5 min)
3 phases + mill formation + capture. Simplest ancient game rules.
2
Play 10 casual games
Any online site (BrainKing, Yucata) or physical set. Internalize placement + movement rhythm.
3
Watch YouTube tutorials
German + English tutorials teach open+close mill tactic + endgame flying.

intermediate

1
Study placement openings
Center-first placement priority + blocking key intersections. 50-100 games to develop opening feel.
2
Master open + close mill tactic
Repeated capture tactic; foundation of intermediate play.
3
Online rated ladder
BrainKing.com or Yucata.de rated systems; climb rating from starter to expert.

advanced

1
WMSA-rated tournaments
Online + in-person WMSA events; official rating + competitive experience.
2
German + Balkan championships
Most active competitive scenes; travel to Europe for premier events.
3
Study Gasser's solve database
Perfect play analysis; understand theoretical positions.

Frequently asked

How do you play Nine Men's Morris?+

2-player game with 24-point board (3 concentric squares connected by spoke lines). Each player has 9 pieces. 3 PHASES: (1) PLACEMENT — alternate placing all 18 pieces on empty intersections. (2) MOVEMENT — alternate moving pieces along lines to ADJACENT empty intersections. (3) FLYING — when reduced to 3 pieces, that player can move to ANY empty intersection (underdog rule). GOAL: Form 'MILL' (3 pieces in straight line) — captures 1 opponent piece. WIN: (1) Reduce opponent to 2 pieces (can't form mill anymore). (2) Trap opponent so they have no legal move. KEY TACTIC: 'open + close mill' — break your existing mill then reform on next turn for REPEATED CAPTURES. Simple rules + deep strategy = same appeal as Othello + checkers.

How old is Nine Men's Morris?+

One of OLDEST BOARD GAMES in continuous play — ~1800+ YEARS. EVIDENCE: (1) ~200 AD Roman Empire — game boards carved into roof tiles of KURNA TEMPLE, Egypt. (2) VIKING ERA (800-1000 AD) — board found in GOKSTAD SHIP BURIAL, Norway (900 AD). (3) MEDIEVAL EUROPE — carved into stone at Gloucester Cathedral (13th c), Canterbury Cathedral pews, Westminster Abbey. (4) 15-16th c — massively popular pub + tavern game across Europe. (5) SHAKESPEARE mentions in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595): 'The nine men's morris is filled up with mud.' (6) COLONIAL AMERICA + WORLDWIDE spread with European settlers. COMPARISON: Chess is ~1500 years old; backgammon ~5000 years; Nine Men's Morris ~1800+ years. Only Go + backgammon are older still-played board games. Modern competitive scene renewed since 1985 with German Mühle Association + 1990 first World Championship.

Is Nine Men's Morris solved?+

YES — SOLVED as DRAW with perfect play by Ralph Gasser (Swiss computer scientist) in 1993 (initial analysis) + 2003 (full solve). Both players playing perfectly = DRAW. Similar to checkers (solved 2007, draw), Othello (solved 2023, draw), Connect Four (solved 1988, first player wins). WHAT SOLVING MEANS: computer can determine best move at every position + guarantee at least draw against any opponent. IMPLICATIONS: (1) HUMAN PLAY still far from perfect. (2) Amateur + tournament play remains competitive. (3) COMPUTER PROGRAMS unbeatable by humans at highest level. (4) OPENING + ENDGAME THEORY refined by databases. (5) STRATEGIC DEPTH intact for humans — thousands of positions per game. SOLVING is achievement of computer science; doesn't diminish game's cultural + entertainment value. Still played by millions worldwide + featured in ancient + medieval history.

What variants exist?+

MAIN VARIANTS: (1) NINE MEN'S MORRIS — standard 9 pieces per player; classical version. (2) TWELVE MEN'S MORRIS — 12 pieces per player + DIAGONAL LINES added to board; more complex; also very popular. (3) SIX MEN'S MORRIS — 6 pieces, smaller board; faster + simpler. (4) THREE MEN'S MORRIS — related to TIC-TAC-TOE with movement phase; children's game. (5) LASKER MORRIS — allows simultaneous placement + movement; German competitive variant. (6) LASKER-MORRIS + LASKER RULES — different capture rules. (7) COWBOY CHECKERS — US regional name for standard version. (8) MERELS / MERELLES — French name (same game). REGIONAL NAMES: Mühle (German), Molino/Mulinello (Italian), Möllan (Swedish), Møller (Danish), Nite (Scandinavian dialects). PLAYING SURFACE VARIANTS: (1) Wood + stone historical. (2) Cloth/leather portable versions. (3) Digital + mobile apps. Most competitive play uses standard 9 Men's Morris rules; casual play sometimes uses 12 Men's variant.

Where can I play?+

ONLINE: (1) BrainKing.com — free online play + rated ladder + tournaments. (2) Yucata.de — German-based platform with strong Nine Men's Morris community. (3) Ludi Games — mobile apps. (4) Playok.com — free casual play. (5) Various mobile apps (Mill Master, Mühle Deluxe, etc.). IN-PERSON: (1) GERMANY — Mühle Weltmeisterschaft (World Championship) annually; German Mühle Association hosts events. (2) UK — Nine Men's Morris clubs in Oxford, Cambridge, London. (3) BALKANS — active scenes in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria. (4) USA — smaller scene; occasional tournaments at boardgame conventions. (5) SCANDINAVIA — Viking-era heritage keeps game popular. FAMILY + HOBBY: (1) Physical sets $5-30 (wooden or plastic). (2) Print + draw board on paper — game requires only 2 sets of 9 tokens. (3) Chess sets often include Nine Men's Morris board on reverse of chessboard historically. Small but dedicated global community; welcoming to newcomers.

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Nine men's morris— Wikipedia
Ralph Gasser — solving Nine Men's Morris— MSRI
German Mühle Association— Mühle Weltmeisterschaft

Last verified 2026-08-25.verified