Other Boards for Row Formation Games
All sorts of stylistic and geometric variations have been utilized to play Morris-like or row formation games. The standard seems to be always to form a row of three. For the most part, the precise rules of the following games are not known, but can easily be reconstructed or devised with a little patience. The majority of these shown here are mentioned in David Parlett's Oxford History of Board Games, who in turn cites Steve Jackson in Games & Puzzles magazine, 1st series #39 (August 1975), pp. 25-26. Carrying over the the rules of play from Nine Men's Morris will work at least moderately well with most of the boards here. Counters are always played at the intersections in these games.
With or without using the outer circle for counter movement, the pentagram makes for a fine mill board.
In this game of Windmill, a mill, or row of three, only counts if it is along a vertical or horizontal line (diagonal does not count). This means there are twelve lines along which a mill may be formed.
Board used for the 19th century Six-penny Madell from Wiltshire, England
Board used for the 19th century Six-penny Madell from Wiltshire, England with three additional lines.
This board is used for Mongolian row formation games such as Zirge.
This board is used for Mongolian row formation games such as Zirge.
A Simple Cubic Board
Cubic board: A line of three is only valid on this board if all of its counters are contained within one color (one of the faces of the cube). The central point may not be occupied except to complete a row of three or block the opponent from forming one.
An Interesting Board Composed Mostly of Pentagons.
Why not look to nature for other board designs? This mock spider web will make for a fun Halloween party game.