The game of End-Nim

Abstract

In the game of End-Nim two players take turns in removing one or more boxes from a string of non-empty stacks. At each move boxes may only be taken from the two stacks which form the ends of the string (unless only one stack remains!). We give a solution for both impartial and partizan versions of the game and explain the significance of the mystic hieroglyphs: (figure presented) AMS subject classifications: 91A46 (primary), 05B99 (secondary). Submitted Aug 20 2000, Accepted Feb 6 2001.