AsobiPlaza puzzle game

Matchstick Nim

Take the last matchstick. Beat the optimal AI.

Piles of matchsticks sit on the table. On each turn take 1 to k sticks from a single pile. In normal play the last stick wins; in misere play it loses. The opponent plays perfectly, so winning means reading the nim-sum first.

The H5 browser build is live with 10 starter rounds and no account requirement.

Preview board with three matchstick piles of 3, 4 and 5 sticks
H5 play ready

Take from one pile

Take matchsticks from a single pile, between 1 and the round's limit.

Win or dodge the last

Normal: take the last stick to win. Misere: leave it for your opponent.

Read the nim-sum

Optimal play turns on the XOR of the piles. Steer to a losing position for the opponent.

Beat a perfect AI

The opponent never misplays, so every round is a clean test of the strategy.

Classic Nim, two variants

One pile, one take, one winner.

Matchstick Nim is the classic game of Nim against a deterministic optimal opponent. Ten starter rounds mix normal and misere play with different per-turn take limits. There are no timers or lives; the focus is pure combinatorial strategy.

Game moments

Piles, takes, last stick.

Final screenshots will be replaced from a release candidate build. For now, this page uses derived art that represents the mechanic honestly.

Opening table

Three piles of 3, 4 and 5 with a take limit of 3.

Misere endgame

Force the opponent to grab the final stick.

Cleared

The last take settles the round in your favour.