Mijnlieff

Overview

Mijnlieff is an abstract strategy game for 2 players. Each player has 8 pieces in 4 types, each dictating where the opponent must play next. Players place pieces on a 4x4 grid, trying to form rows of 3 or more of their own color while restricting their opponent’s options. The player who completes the most valuable set of rows wins.

Components

• 1 four-by-four game board (16 squares)
• 8 light pieces (2 each of 4 types)
• 8 dark pieces (2 each of 4 types)

Setup

1. Place the board between both players.
2. Take the four larger board pieces and arrange them to form the 4x4 grid.
3. Each player takes 8 pieces in their color.
4. Light begins by playing any piece into any square.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On your turn, place one of your pieces on a legal square as dictated by your opponent’s last piece.

Actions

Piece Types and Placement Rules

Each piece type indicates where your opponent must play on their next turn:

Piece Type	Symbol	Opponent Must Play…
Straights	Arrow pointing up/down	In any one of the empty squares in a straight line (orthogonal) from the piece just played
Diagonals	X symbol	In any one of the empty squares in a diagonal line from the piece just played
Pushers	Circle with arrows out	In any one of the empty squares that DO NOT touch the square you play this tile on
Pullers	Circle with arrows in	In any one of the empty squares that touch the square you play this tile on

Passing

If you are unable to play (no legal squares available), you must pass. If the other player also passes, they have a free play into any square on the board. This may allow them to force you to pass again.

Ending the Game

As soon as one player plays their last piece, their opponent gets ONE last chance to play, after which they must pass if they cannot play, and the game ends.

Even if the last piece played would block the opponent, the opponent may not continue to place further pieces – ONE last move means ONE last piece.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Players score 1 point for each straight or diagonal continuous line of 3 pieces in their color. Longer lines score more:

• Line of 3 = 1 point
• Line of 4 = 3 points (in some variants)

The player with the most points wins.

Note: Each of the lines scored must be consecutive – if a space or an opposing piece interrupts a line, it does not count.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Dark always considers the piece Light played to determine where Dark must play, and vice versa.
• Alternating pieces do not block each other’s path.
• After a player places all 8 pieces, the opponent gets exactly one more turn.
• If both players pass in sequence, the next player gets a free play (any empty square).
• The game is purely abstract with no randomness.
• In an Advanced Game, longer scoring lines (line of 4) are achievable for bonus points.

Player Reference

Turn: Place 1 piece on a legal square (determined by opponent’s last piece type)

Piece types: Straights (orthogonal lines)

Diagonals (diagonal lines)

Pushers (non-adjacent)

Pullers (adjacent)

Scoring: 1 point per line of 3; most points wins

Pass rule: No legal square -> pass; if both pass -> free play for next player