Twelve Men's Morris

How to play Twelve Men's Morris?

Twelve Stones is a large brain game that offers richer move options, allowing to build diagonal "mills" with diagonal lines added to the Nine Stones board. It reinforces long-term planning skills with more pieces and lines.

1. It is played with the same rules as Nine Stones, but with the addition of 4 diagonal lines connecting the corners. Each player has 12 tiles.
2. Thanks to the diagonals, you can also move diagonally from the corner points and create a diagonal "Mill".
3. When you create a mill, you remove one of your opponent's pieces from the board.
4. After all 12 stones are lined up, it's time to "play"; Having fallen on 3 tiles, the player can "fly" to any free point.
5. You win if you reduce your opponent to 2 tiles or make them unable to move.

Twelve Men's Morris strategy tips

• Corner points are strong points where four or five lines intersect thanks to the diagonals; Evaluate during the sorting phase.
• Since the board is very full, keep stones near the empty spots to avoid being left without a move during the shifting phase.
• Don't forget the cross mills: most of the time the opponent only follows straight lines.

Twelve Men's Morris history

Twelve Stones is a big mill game played by adding four diagonals connecting the corners to the Nine Stones board. It is played with very similar rules in South Africa under the name "Morabaraba" and tournaments are held there as a sport.

The game is faster and more active because the diagonals provide both movement and the opportunity to set up a mill. The board is almost full with 12 pieces each; If the board is completely filled, the game ends in a draw.

Other names: Twelve Men's Morris, morabaraba, diagonal mill