The Game of Nim

Java is required to view applet

         Nim is a simple game of finite possibilities (unlike chess, say, where the possibilities appear to border on the infinite). In fact, nim is not much more complex than a puzzle. But unlike that other great game of limited possibilities, tic-tac-toe, there exists tremendous variety both in nim's conception and implementation. Nim's playing field varies from one to at least a dozen rows, and the number of counters in a row can vary from one to as much as two dozen. Some versions require that the winner take the last object; others that the winner avoid taking the last object.

        The rules of nim are simple, in this version of the game the last player to take an object is the winner.  Players take turns, each time selecting any amount of objects from a single column.  Players can play against the computer  A.I. in two modes of play, each mode having several difficulty levels.  Much like any game there is a strategy involved in winning, but instead of spoiling the fun we'll leave it up to you to find. Good Luck.

Links to related material

http://www.madras.fife.sch.uk/maths/games/nim.html

http://www.csm.astate.edu/Nim.html

http://www.nicemice.net/amc/LoseNIM/