Copyright: Nim Copyright ® 1995 The Code Zone


Contents
Rules Summary

To play, take turns with the computer removing pieces from the board.  During your turn, remove any number of pieces from a single row on the board.  The player taking the last piece on the board wins the game.

Nim Rules

Nim Options

Nim Commands


Game Rules
Object of the game

The object of Nim is to take the last piece on the board.  Player and computer take turns removing pieces from the board.

Note: It is possible to change the object of the game via the Options dialog box.  You can make the object of the game to force your opponent to remove the last piece.  This changes the strategy of the game a bit.

Game Over Conditions

Depending on the game option set, there are two different ways to end the game.

•	The default object of the game is to remove the last piece.  The player who removes the last piece is the winner.

•	If the "Leave last piece" option is set in the "Options" dialog box, the object of the game is to force the opponent to take the last piece.  The player who takes the next-to-last piece is the winner.

Hints

This is a difficult game to win.  There is a simple strategy to winning, but it will not be revealed here.  If you are having trouble winning, try playing the game with smaller boards.  It is important in this game (more than others) to look several moves ahead to try to guess your opponent's position.

Help Contents

Nim Options

Nim Commands


Game Options
How to set Options

To bring up the Options dialog box, choose the "Options..." menu item from the "Game" menu.  If any option is changed within the Option dialog box, the current game being played will be abandoned.  If you do not wish to abandon the current game, select the Cancel button and return to the game.

The Options dialog box is broken up into various sections shown by the tabs at the top of the dialog box.  Clicking on a tab shows the options available for that topic.  For example, the "Extras" tab allows you to choose the background color and texture of the game, and to change the sound options.

Tab Descriptions

Options Tab

Pile Sizes

The "Pile Sizes" combo box allows you to change the sizes of the Nim piles (A-F).  You can change the heights of the piles to contain from zero to eight pieces.

Game Object

Take the last piece

If the "Take the last piece" option is selected, you win by taking the last piece.

Leave the last piece

If the "Leave the last piece" option is selected, then the option is to force your opponent to take the last piece.

Who Goes First

Player Goes First

If the "Player Goes First" option is selected, you go first when a game starts.

Computer Goes First

If the "Computer Goes First" option is selected, the computer will make the first move when the game starts.

Board Tab

The Board Tab allows you to change the appearance of the game board. The options for this tab will not affect the rules of the game; however, the look of the board will change.

Board Names

The "Board Names" list box shows the names of all of the board "tiles" available. Clicking on a name in the list box selects the new board and previews the tiles in the "Board Preview" area.

Piece Tab

The Pieces Tab allows you to change the appearance of the playing pieces used in the game.  The options for this tab will not affect the rules of the game; however, the look of the playing pieces will change.

Piece Names

The "Piece Names" list box shows the names of the various playing pieces available.  Clicking on a name in the list box selects the new playing pieces and previews the pieces in the "Piece Preview" area.

Extras Tab

The Extras tab allows you to change the background of the main game window, or to change the sounds used in the game.  Changing the options in the Extras tab does not affect the rules of the game.

Screen Background

The box framing the "Screen Background" list box shows the current background color or texture of the screen.  Highlighting the name of a color or texture in the list box will preview the new background color or texture of the game window.

Game Sounds

Game Sounds Enabled

The "Game Sounds Enabled" check box turns the game sounds on or off.  This option is checked on by default.  Un-checking the box will turn the game sounds off.

If your system does not have any sound support (i.e. you are not using a windows-hosted sound card), this option will not be available.

Path...

The Path... button allows you to choose a sound file to be played during a game event.  The game events that can have sounds attached are listed above the button. You can associate any windows wave file (*.WAV) with a game event.

Test

The Test button plays the sound associated with the game event selected in the list box above the button.  If there is no sound associated with the event, or the selected file is invalid, no sound will be played.

Animation Tab

Animation Enabled

The "Animation Enabled" check box  turns the game animation on or off.  If this option is checked, the pieces will slide into place.  If this option is off, the pieces instantaneously move from place to place.  By keeping the animation on, it will be easier to see where the computer moves.

Animation Speed

The "Animation Speed" scroll bar allows you to speed up or slow down the game animation. Moving the slider all the way to the left slows down the animation.  Moving the slider all the way to the right speeds it up.

Help Contents

Nim Rules

Nim Commands


Game Commands
How To Remove Pieces

Removing pieces from the board is accomplished by clicking them with the mouse.  Clicking a piece will select that piece and all pieces to the right of it.  To remove the selected pieces, click the bar at the bottom of the Nim window.  After you have removed the pieces you have selected, the computer will make its move.

To select pieces with the keyboard, type the letter corresponding to the pile you wish to remove pieces from.  Repeatedly pressing the letter of the pile will select more pieces in that pile.  Press Enter to remove the pieces you have selected.

Menu Commands

Game Menu

New

Starts a new game.  This will abandon a game in progress.

Hitting the F2 function key on the key board will also start a new game.

Options...

Brings up the Options dialog box.  Abandons any game currently in progress if any options are changed.

Exit

Quits the game.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F4 function key on the key board will also quit the game.

Help Menu

Index

Brings up the main help index.  The help index gives you an introduction to the game and a quick synopsis of the rules.

Hitting the F1 function key on the key board will also bring up the main help index.

Game Rules

Displays an in-depth version of the rules.  The Game Rules page provides play examples and hints.

How To Play

Brings up the help page you are reading now.

Balloon Help

Toggles the help balloons on and off.  The help balloons display quick information about each menu item along with a quick synopsis of the rules.

Balloon help is a check-able toggle.  Choose it to turn the balloon help on.  Choose it again to shut it off.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F1 function key on the key board will also toggle the balloon help on and off.

About Nim...

This box will display information about this product.

Panic Button

If you want to quickly pause and minimize the game, hit the Escape key on the keyboard.

Help Contents

Nim Rules

Nim Options