[TriLUG] looking for puzzle/game algorithm.

[Wing D Lizard]

Joseph Mack NA3T wrote:
> I don't know how to look this up in google.
>
> You're given an arbitary length of string. You're allowed to 
> cut off any length upto a fixed amount (say 9 inches); the 
> computer is allowed to do the same. The player that takes 
> the last piece of string is the winner. I don't remember if 
> there is a minimum amount you have to take.
>
> I saw this run on what I think was a tube based calculator 
> in the early '60s for a lab open day (where I played and 
> lost).
>
> Anyone know what the game is called or what the winning 
> algorithm is (it was explained to me at the time, but I 
> didn't really understand it and I've forgotten)?
>
> Thanks
> Joe
>
>   

The game is called NIM.  I remember programming this in highschool
in BASIC on a pdp-11 on a dec teletype.

http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/la36.html


NIM:
http://www.jimloy.com/puzz/nim.htm