Terni Lapilli

A.k.a. 3 Men’s Morris

SET UP

• 1 x 2x2 modular square grid board

• 2 sets of 3 colored stones.

• The game starts on an open field.

• Random draw determines which Player has the opening move.

• Game play moves clockwise.

Number of Players

• 2

Objective

• To be the first Player to complete 3 stones in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Rules

• On your turn, place a stone on any open intersection on the grid.

• Once all 3 of your stones have been placed, on your next turn, play continues by moving a stone to an open adjacent intersection.

• Game play continues until one Player completes 3 in a row - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

• Note: you can win with a diagonal 3 in a row, but pawns do not move diagonally.

Player Variations

• Terni Lapelli , a.k.a. 3 Men’s Morris is played on a 2x2 square grid board, but variations allow for 2 diagonal lines to cross cut the center to each corner.

• Another variation allows for movement to any open intersection, not just adjacent spaces.

• There are larger variations for 6 Men’s Morris, 9 Men’s Morris, 12 Men’s Morris, and dare we try larger?

• Other related games include Tic-Tac-Toe , and 3 Men’s Morris

History

• Terni Lapilli is over 3500 years old with origins believed to begin in Egypt. It had a global spread to different parts of the world with fossilized evidence found in China, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Rome. It was especially popular during Medieval times in Europe.

Game Theory / Game Dynamics

• If you roll your eyes at playing Tic-Tac-Toe, try this simple variation for a new challenge. All you need are movable pieces.

• This game is simple in terms of strong positioning, much link Tic-Tac-Toe, but it takes placement a step further by introducing movement.

• Displacement strategies begin to surface, not only with which space you now possess, but you will also need to consider which space did you vacate and leave open to your opponent?

• Try this game, and you will gain some valuable insights to strategic thinking and it should be a prerequisite before attempting any variation of Chess.

I hope you enjoy playing games,
as much as I have making them.