MENACE Part 2 - Generating all board states and optimizing by removing invalid and symmetric states

18 Feb 2026

Programming MENACE (A Reinforcement Learning AI) that learns to play tic-tac-toe using matchboxes and beads. Generation of states and optimization by removing invalid and symmetric states.

Part 1 - Introduction to MENACE and setting up the project

MENACE Part 1: An Introduction to Reinforcement Learning with Matchboxes and Beads

13 Feb 2026 Last modified at: 2026-02-18

Programming MENACE (A Reinforcement Learning AI) that learns to play tic-tac-toe using matchboxes and beads.

In this series of posts, we will recreate the worlds first reinforcement learning through a hands-on project: programming MENACE (Matchbox Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine), a simple AI that learns to play tic-tac-toe using matchboxes and beads.