Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 12:42:45 +0100
From: John A. Taylor (jtsquid@mindspring.com)
Subject: A game called Merrills or Muller?
Hi there!
I recently played a strategy "peg" board game with a friend of a friend who insisted on naming the game "Merrills". My other friend said he had heard it called "Muller". I would like to find out if there is a computer version of the game as well as any information regarding the proper name and rules.
It's basically a game of strategy that has three phases. First, pegs are placed on the board one by one in an attempt to create three in a row. When someone gets three in a row they are allowed to remove one of the opponents pieces. Next, when all the pegs are on the board, minus the removed pegs, each piece can be moved one space at a time, again in an attempt to create three in a row to remove one of the opponents pieces. Finally, as soon as one person gets down to having only three of their pieces on the board they may discontinue moving one space at a time and move wherever they would like. The object is to get your opponent down to less than three pieces while you still have three pieces on the board.
If you recognize these rules at all, I would appreciate any information regarding the actual name and/or if there is a computer version of the same game.
Thank you for your help,
John Taylor
This query solicited the most scathing commentary on my knowledge of games since I had the audacity not to like the original Dune game...
I'll skip those and just bring you the messages with interesting content.
ken
Date: Mon, 04 Aug 1997 22:20:29 -0400
From: Daniel U. Thibault (selinur@io.com)
Organization: Centre for Really Weird Studies
Subject: July's Stump The Net
That game is Nine Men's Morris. It is known as Mérelles in French, Muhle (Mill) in German. An alignment of three pieces is called a Mill, thus the German name.
It is normally played with stones on a board, but pegs should work just as well. The twist you add with 'teleporting pegs' once a player is down to 3 pegs is new to me -- an interesting variation.
I think P. S. Neeley may have a shareware version of the game:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/PSNeeley/
If not, it would make a good student programming project...
Daniel U. Thibault
a.k.a. Urhixidur
a.k.a. Bohˇmond de Nicˇe
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 13:30:32 -0400
From: David Kuznick (dkuznick@world.std.com)
Organization: Black Diamond Software Inc.
Subject: Merrils/Muller
This sounds like Nine men's morris (or depending on the board and number of pegs you start with, Six men's morris or Three men's morris). I'm sure I've seen it around on the 'Net somewhere, but where exactly escapes me. Try using a 'Net search engine with Nine men morris as keywords.
-- David Kuznick
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 03:58:02 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Olszewski (PaladinMyk@aol.com)
Subject: July's Queries...
The game you refer to is actually call 'Nine Men's Morris'.
Nine Men's Morris is a game with its origins in ancient history. Layouts have been found on articles, in manuscripts and in tombs dating from various times, including one cut into roofing slabs at Kurna dating from around 1400 BC.
It is called 'Mill' in the United States and Germany (Muhle) and is also known as Morelles or Merels. It was at its most popular in the 14th century and acquired the name Morris in England possibly due to the board resembling the patterns made by Morris dancers. Three Men's Morris and Six Men's Morris are also played (different board configuration).
I have not run across this game on computer.
--Michael Olszewski
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 1997 19:18:19 +0200
From: J.M. Doumen (doumen@stpc.wi.leidenuniv.nl)
Subject: Re: A game called Merrills or Muller?
Hi Ken,
I just mailed John that I know the game he's looking for - I figured you'd like to know too. This is a quite well-known game here in Holland, and it's called "Molenspel" (translates as Game of the Mills). The rules are exactly how John describes them, and it's played on a board of three squares inside each other (largest square on the outside). The three-in-a-row are only valid horizontally or vertically, not diagonally (i.e. a piece at each of the left bottom corners of the square does not form a mill).
Glad to help,
Jeroen