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Nim possibly originated in China. Children play it with bits of paper, while adults can be found playing it with coins on the counter of a bar.
Nim was given its name by a Charles Bouton who named it after an archaic English word meaning to steal or to take away. Bouton was an associate professor of mathematics at Harvard University. In the year 1901 Bouton published a full analysis and proof containing a winning strategy for Nim. His strategy was based on the binary number system. Since the native language of a computer is based on the binary system, the creation of a Nim-playing computer was inevitable.
The first Nim-playing computer, called the Nimatron, was created in 1940. This one ton machine was built by the Westinghouse Electrical Corporation and was exhibited at the New York Worlds Fair. It played 100,000 games against spectators and attendants, and won an impressive 90% of the games. Many of the loses came at the hands of the attendants who had to show the incredulous spectators that the Nimatron could be beaten.
In 1951 a Nim-playing robot, called Nimrod, was exhibited at the Festival of Britain, and later at the Berlin trade fair. The machine was so popular that spectators entirely ignored a bar at the other end of the room where free drinks were being offered. Eventually the local police had to be called in to control the crowds.
There are many games derived from, or closely related to Nim. Two of the more notable ones being Tac Tix, and Match 23. Those of you who become Nim Masters and desire more of a challenge should look into Tac Tix (a.k.a. Nimbi).
NimSim is the first Nim-playing program for Windows that I have ever encountered. I will be very pleased if this version generates as much excitement as its predecessors…
A word of thanks and acknowledgment must go to Martin Gardner who provided much of this historical account in his highly interesting book Hexaflexagons and other Mathematical Diversions.
Another thing that really makes NimSim enjoyable for me is how it manages to stay interesting even after playing it multiple times. Many games feel repetitive after a while, but here, the experience still feels fresh because of the small details and different ways you can approach the gameplay. As you continue playing, you naturally start improving and understanding the mechanics better, which makes everything feel more rewarding. I also appreciate the balance the game maintains—it’s not too difficult, but it’s not too easy either. You can play it casually for a short break or spend longer sessions without getting bored. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons why I keep coming back to NimSim. Overall, it’s the kind of game that doesn’t just entertain you for a moment, but actually gives you a consistently enjoyable experience every time you play.
