Ancient Strategy

Nine Men's Morris

Form mills and capture your opponent's pieces!

You (White)
0 on board
9 to place
VS
AI (Black)
0 on board
9 to place

Nine Men's Morris

Form three in a row to capture pieces!

Games: 0Wins: 0

Click points to place or move pieces. Form 3 in a row to capture!

About Nine Men's Morris

Nine Men's Morris (also called Mills, Merels, or Cowboy Checkers) is one of the oldest known board games, with boards carved into the roofing slabs of an Egyptian temple dating to around 1400 BCE. The game was popular throughout the Roman Empire and medieval Europe.

The game is played on a board of three concentric squares connected by lines at the midpoints. Each player has nine pieces and the goal is to form "mills" (three pieces in a row) which allows you to remove opponent pieces. The game combines strategic placement with tactical movement.

This browser version lets you play against an AI opponent. Experience the timeless strategy that has challenged minds for thousands of years!

How to Play Nine Men's Morris

1

Placement Phase

Take turns placing your 9 pieces on any empty point on the board.

2

Form Mills

Get three pieces in a row along any line to form a "mill" and remove an opponent piece.

3

Movement Phase

Once all pieces are placed, slide your pieces along lines to adjacent empty points.

4

Win the Game

Reduce your opponent to 2 pieces or block all their pieces so they cannot move.

Nine Men's Morris Tips & Strategies

  1. 1.Control the center: The middle points connect to more positions, giving you more options.
  2. 2.Create double mills: Position pieces so moving one creates a mill, then move it back for another mill.
  3. 3.Block opponent mills: Pay attention to your opponent's potential mills and block them.
  4. 4.Think ahead: Plan your placements to set up mills for the movement phase.
  5. 5.Mobility matters: Don't let your pieces get trapped with no valid moves.

Benefits of Playing Nine Men's Morris

🏛️

Ancient Wisdom

Connect with a game played for over 3,000 years.

🧠

Strategic Thinking

Develop planning and spatial reasoning skills.

🎯

Pattern Recognition

Learn to spot opportunities and threats on the board.

⚡

Quick Games

Enjoy strategic depth in short, engaging sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nine Men's Morris

Nine Men's Morris is an ancient strategy board game for two players. Each player has 9 pieces and tries to form 'mills' (three pieces in a row) while blocking the opponent.
A mill is formed when three of your pieces are in a row along any line on the board. When you form a mill, you can remove one of your opponent's pieces.
The game has two phases: Placement (placing all 9 pieces) and Movement (sliding pieces along lines to adjacent points). Form mills in both phases!
You win by reducing your opponent to only 2 pieces, or by blocking all their pieces so they cannot make a legal move.
You can remove any opponent piece that is not part of a mill, unless all their pieces are in mills - then you can remove any piece.
Need a tool? Ask us!