Sprague–Grundy theorem
In combinatorial game theory, the Sprague–Grundy theorem states that every impartial game under the normal play convention is equivalent to a nimber. The Grundy value or nim-value of an impartial game is then defined as the unique nimber that the game is equivalent to. In the case of a game whose positions (or summands of positions) are indexed by the natural numbers (for example the possible heap sizes in nim-like games), the sequence of nimbers for successive heap sizes is called the nim-sequence of the game.
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In combinatorial game theory, the Sprague–Grundy theorem states that every impartial game under the normal play convention is equivalent to a nimber. The Grundy value or nim-value of an impartial game is then defined as the unique nimber that the game is equivalent to. In the case of a game whose positions (or summands of positions) are indexed by the natural numbers (for example the possible heap sizes in nim-like games), the sequence of nimbers for successive heap sizes is called the nim-sequence of the game.
An impartial game is one such as nim, in which each player has the same available moves in every position. Impartial games fall into two outcome classes: either the next player wins (an N-position) or the previous player wins (a P-position).
An impartial game can be identified with the set of positions that can be reached in one move (these are called the options of the game). Thus the game with options A, B, or C is the set {A, B, C}.
The normal play convention is where the last player to move wins. Alternatively, the player who first does not have any valid move loses. The opposite - the misere convention is where the last person to have a valid move or makes the last move loses.
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