Mlynek

Mlynek is played on the Achi board and commences with the board empty of counters.

Alternate Names

Grinder. Mlynek is also a Polish name for the game Nine Men's Morris.

No. of Players

Two

Equipment

An Achi board and three each of black and white counters are required for play.

History

The history of this game is unknown. Its simplicity means that it could have been devised about anywhere. The more common name for it, Mlynek, is a Polish word for Mill or Grinder, i.e. a coffee grinder. This is strong but not irrefutable evidence that the game is Polish in origin.

Objective

The objective of both players is to immobilize their opponent's counters. The first player to do so being the winner.

Play

The game commences with the board vacant of counters. At first, alternate turns entail the placement of a single friendly counter at any vacant intersection on the board. After all six counters have been placed, the players take turns moving a single friendly counter along a line to any adjacent vacant intersection in any direction. When one player is unable to make a legal move, the game is over and that player has lost.

Sources