Mills Three Men's Morris Game

Nine Men’s Morris, also known as mill, mills, or the mill game, is a captivating abstract strategy board game that has withstood the test of time.
Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, dating at least to the Roman Empire.Nine Men’s Morris is one of the oldest known board games. Its enduring appeal lies in its blend of simplicity and strategic complexity.
The Latin word “merellus,” meaning “gamepiece,” likely evolved into the English term “morris.” Interestingly, “miles,” Latin for “soldier,” also contributes to the game’s name.Whether played in bustling marketplaces, medieval courts, or modern living rooms, Nine Men’s Morris transcends time and culture.
The game board consists of a grid with twenty-four intersections, forming a square lattice. Each player receives nine pieces, traditionally colored black and white. These pieces, often referred to as “men,” are strategically placed on the intersections. The objective? To form “mills”—lines of three of their own men arranged horizontally or vertically.
Variants of Game
Three, six, and twelve men’s morris are popular variants. Additionally, the game has traveled across borders, acquiring regional names like “merelles,” “marelles,” and “morelles.” In North America, it even masquerades as “cowboy checkers.” The Mill Game, or Cowboy Checkers is a national pastime in many countries. Variations of the game include Morabaraba (South Africa), Char Bar (India), or Tapatan (Philippines). The aim of the game is to hit as many enemy stones as possible by forming so-called Mills (3 stones in a row).
Nine Men’s Morris has been thoroughly analyzed, revealing its optimal strategy. With perfect play from both sides, the game results in a draw. Yet, the allure persists—the thrill of outwitting an opponent, the satisfaction of forming a mill, and the echoes of ancient players resonating through time.
How to play:
Nine Men’s Morris unfolds in three distinct phases :
1. Placing Pieces(Phase 1)
* The game begin with an empty board.
* Players take turns placing their men on vacant intersections.
* Forming a mill—three men in a straight line—allows a player to remove one of the opponent’s pieces.
* An opponent’s piece within a mill can be removed only if no other pieces are available.
2. Moving Pieces (Phase 2)
* After all men are placed, the second phase commences.
* Players alternate turns, moving a man to an adjacent intersection.
* No “jumping” over other pieces is allowed.
* The goal remains to form mills and eliminate the opponent’s pieces.
3. The Final Stretch (Phase 3)
* When a player is reduced to three men, they enter the third phase.
* Now, they can move their remaining men to any vacant intersection.

A player has lost, if he has only two pieces left or if he is not able to make a move with one of his pieces.

Nine Men’s Morris may appear deceptively simple, but its strategic possibilities are vast:
* Opening Moves: The starting placement of men sets the tone.Players aim to create potential mills while blocking their opponent’s paths.
* Midgame Maneuvers: As pieces shift, players adapt their strategies.
* Endgame Calculations: The endgame demands precision. Sacrifices, threats, and calculated risks come into play.
* Mind Games: Anticipating the opponent’s moves and misdirecting them are essential skills.
Features:
- Classic design & Completely free games.
- Unlock amazing achievements
- Climb to the top of the online highscore leaderboard
- Singleplayer and multiplayer
- Can be played online and offline
- Choose between 3 modes of difficulty
- Play with your friends on the same device (2 players Multiplayer)
Mills is a real classic travel game – it is perfect for fans of Backgammon, Draughts or Othello and offers a strategic challenge for beginners as well as experienced veterans.
Download Nine Men`s Morris App NOW and put your mind to work in a clean simple strategic game!