50 stacks of coins that have 1,2,3,…,50 coins respectively
Source: 2023 May Olympiad L2 p5
March 24, 2024
combinatoricsgamegame strategy
Problem Statement
On the table there are stacks of coins that have coins respectively. Ana and Beto play the following game in turns:
First, Ana chooses one of the piles on the table, and Beto decides if that pile is for Ana or for him.
Then, Beto chooses one of the remaining piles on the table, and Ana decides if that pile is for her or for Beto.
They continue playing alternately in this way until one of the players has batteries.
When that happens, the other player takes all the remaining stacks on the table and whoever has the most coins wins.
Determine which of the two players has a winning strategy.