A game of strategy, symmetry, and a smidge of ancient history
Nine Men’s Morris is one of the world’s oldest known strategy games, played from ancient Egypt to Elizabethan England. With simple rules and surprising depth, it offers a charming blend of geometry and guile. Here's how to play - and why it’s worth knowing.
(PS, if Nine Men's Morris sounds unfamiliar, you might know the game by another! It also goes by Merrills, Mill and Merels...)
What You’ll Need
- A Nine Men’s Morris board: three concentric squares connected by lines at the midpoints.
- 18 pieces: nine for each player, traditionally black and white.
The Objective
The goal is to form ‘mills’ - three of your pieces in a straight line - while gradually reducing the number of your opponent’s pieces. You win when your opponent is left with just two pieces or cannot make a legal move.
The Game in Three Phases
1. Placing Pieces
Players take turns placing their nine pieces on any empty point on the board. When you form a mill (three of your own pieces in a straight line), you may remove one of your opponent’s pieces - unless all their pieces are currently in mills.
This phase is all about laying traps while hiding your true intentions. A good player thinks ahead; a great player lets their opponent think they’re winning.
2. Sliding Pieces
Once all pieces are placed, players take turns moving one piece per turn to an adjacent point along the board’s lines. Forming a new mill still allows you to remove an opponent’s piece.
As the board fills and movement becomes restricted, each decision matters more. This is where the game’s strategic depth really comes to life.
3. Flying Pieces
When a player is reduced to three pieces, they may ‘fly’ - moving to any vacant point on the board instead of only adjacent ones.
This rule gives the underdog a fighting chance and often leads to dramatic comebacks or clever counter-manoeuvres.
Winning the Game
The game ends when your opponent has only two pieces remaining or can no longer make a legal move. Victory can be acknowledged with a firm handshake, a satisfied nod, or perhaps a celebratory biscuit.
Historical Notes & References
Origins & Archaeology
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Ancient Egypt (~1400 BCE):
Grid-based carvings resembling Nine Men’s Morris have been discovered at the temple site of Kurna. At any rate, their resemblance to later game boards is widely noted, though exact rules are unknown.
Source: R. C. Bell, Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations (1969) -
Roman Empire:
Boards etched into pavements, barracks, and courtyard stones across Roman Britain and Europe - particularly at Vindolanda - suggest the game was popular among soldiers.
Sources: Edward Falkener, Games Ancient and Oriental (1892); Vindolanda Trust field reports -
Medieval Europe:
The game appears carved into cloister benches and cathedral choir stalls. A famous example can be seen in Norwich Cathedral.
Source: J. G. Hurst, The Archaeology of Medieval England and Wales (1976)
Cultural Mentions
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Shakespeare:
“The nine men’s morris is filled up with mud.”
– A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II, Scene 1
Likely a reference to outdoor game boards drawn into the earth, which could become unplayable in bad weather. -
Game Evolution:
The name “Nine Men’s Morris” has been in use since at least the 14th century, with earlier and regional variants such as Three Men’s Morris and Twelve Men’s Morris.
Sources: David Parlett, The Oxford History of Board Games (1999); H. J. R. Murray,* A History of Board-Games Other Than Chess (1952)
Modern Gameplay References
- The rules as described here (placing, sliding, flying) are widely accepted and appear in modern guides including:
- Hoyle’s Rules of Games (various editions)
- The British Museum’s educational materials
- Penguin’s How to Play series (1970s)
- World Boardgaming archives and traditional rulebooks
For further reading, we recommend David Parlett’s and H. J. R. Murray’s books for the most comprehensive coverage of historical gameplay and cultural context.