Achi is a strategy game from Ghana and is a more advanced form of noughts and crosses. Players take turns putting their markers on a 3x3 board, with the aim of trying to get three in a row. While playing, students will be required (unconsciously) to collect data and make predictions based on probability, to develop their own strategy for winning.
These reflective strategies (“If I do this, then they will do that.”) develop Mathematical thinking and problem solving.
Engage your students in a discussion using questions like:
Have students begin by playing noughts and crosses and talking through different strategies for that game, before introducing Achi.
Instead of four pieces for each player, you can reduce the number of markers to three, making a game known as ‘Three Men’s Morris’ or ‘Nine Holes’.