New games related to old and new sequences

Abstract

We define an infinite class of 2-pile subtraction games, where the amount that can be subtracted from both piles simultaneously, is a function f of the size of the piles. Wythoff's game is a special case. For each game, the 2nd player winning positions are a pair of complementary sequences, some of which are related to well-known sequences, but most are new. The main result is a theorem giving necessary and sufficient conditions on f so that the sequences are 2nd player winning positions. Sample games are presented, strategy complexity questions are discussed, and possible further studies are indicated. © 2004 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.