Having examined "Noughts
and Crosses," we will now
consider an
extension
of the game that is distinctly mentioned in the works of Ovid.
It is,
in
fact, the parent of "Nine Men's Morris," referred to by Shakespeare in A
Midsummer Night's Dream (Act
ii., Scene 2). Each player has
three
counters, which they play alternately on to the nine points shown in
the
diagram, with the object of getting three in a line and so
winning.
But
after the six counter
are played they then proceed to move (always to
an adjacent unoccupied point) with the same object.
In the example
below
White played first, and Black has just played on point 7.
It is now
White's move, and he will undoubtedly play from 8 to 9, and then,
whatever Black may do, he will continue with 5 to 6, and so
win.
That
is
the simple game.
Now, if both players are equally perfect at the game
what should happen?
Should the first player always win?
Or should the
second player win?
Or should every game be a draw?
One only of these
things should always occur.
Which is it?
See
answer |