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Multilink Cubes



Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:


To play this game, you'll need a friend and twelve counters.

The aim of the game is to be the player who takes the last counter or counters.

How to play:

Lay out the counters in an array like this:

The first player chooses a counter and removes it from the array, and also removes all the counters that touch it.

The second player also chooses a counter and removes it from the array, and also removes all the counters that touch it.

Play continues like this with players taking it in turns, until one of the players removes the last counter (or counters). That player is the winner!


Here is an example, where the first player has chosen the counter with the black cross. This means that all the counters coloured red in the picture below are removed:

So, now the counters left look like this:

Player two then decides to choose the bottom left counter, so all the counters coloured blue in the picture below are removed:

So now there are just these counters left:

Player one then chooses the top left counter, and removes it with the one that is touching it:

Player two now decides to choose the bottom right counter and removes it:

So player two takes the last counter and is the winner!


Play the game a few times with a friend.




Why do this problem?

Children will be motivated to work systematically as they play this game because they will want to think ahead.


Key questions

Would it be a good idea to start with a smaller number of counters.  How about four arranged in a square?
How many different ways are there for the first player to begin?
Does the grid have any symmetry that may help you? 


Possible extension

Learners could try with a larger number of counters, or the counters arranged differently.


Possible support

Working with 2cm squared paper and counters will mean that children can simplify the game easily.