MathDB
winning strategy on a game in m x n array , winning condition |x|\ge N

Source: Canada Repêchage 2019/5 CMOQR

March 1, 2020
gamegame strategywinning strategycombinatorics

Problem Statement

Let (m,n,N)(m,n,N) be a triple of positive integers. Bruce and Duncan play a game on an m\times n array, where the entries are all initially zeroes. The game has the following rules. \bullet The players alternate turns, with Bruce going first. \bullet On Bruce's turn, he picks a row and either adds 11 to all of the entries in the row or subtracts 11 from all the entries in the row. \bullet On Duncan's turn, he picks a column and either adds 11 to all of the entries in the column or subtracts 11 from all of the entries in the column. \bullet Bruce wins if at some point there is an entry xx with xN|x|\ge N. Find all triples (m,n,N)(m, n,N) such that no matter how Duncan plays, Bruce has a winning strategy.