Games of No Chance - Couverture rigide

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0521574110 ISBN 13 : 9780521574112

Editeur : Cambridge University Press, 1997

Synopsis

A fascinating look at the mathematics behind games such as checkers, chess, Go, Nim, and Nine-Men Morris.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Is Nine-Men Morris, in the hands of perfect players, a win for white or for black - or a draw? Can king, rook, and knight always defeat king and two knights in chess? What can Go players learn from economists? What are nimbers, tinies, switches and minies? This book deals with combinatorial games, that is, games not involving chance or hidden information. Their study is at once old and young: though some games, such as chess, have been analyzed for centuries, the first full analysis of a nontrivial combinatorial game (Nim) only appeared in 1902. The first part of this book will be accessible to anyone, regardless of background: it contains introductory expositions, reports of unusual tournaments, and a fascinating article by John H. Conway on the possibly everlasting contest between an angel and a devil. For those who want to delve more deeply, the book also contains combinatorial studies of chess and Go; reports on computer advances such as the solution of Nine-Men Morris and Pentominoes; and theoretical approaches to such problems as games with many players. If you have read and enjoyed Martin Gardner, or if you like to learn and analyze new games, this book is for you.

Revue de presse

'No one interested in two-person combinatorial games should hesitate before acquiring this splendid book. Leading experts report on the latest research involving such classic board games as checkers, chess, and go. Other familiar games are analyzed in depth, and many exciting new games are introduced. Did you know that go moku, nine-men morris, and Sol Golomb's pentomino game are now solved? Did you know that computers are getting close to solving checkers? Fifty-two tantalizing unsolved problems are posed by Richard Guy, and Aviezri Fraenkel's bibliography lists 666 references! Games of No Chance is a great collection of elegant, entertaining papers - a book to put on the shelf alongside the classic two-volume Winning Ways by Elwyn Berlekamp, John Conway, and Richard Guy.' Martin Gardner

'A thoroughly edited volume, Combinatorial Game Theory at its best.' European Mathematical Society

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Cambridge University Press
• Date d'édition: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0521574110
• ISBN 13: 9780521574112
• Reliure: Relié
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 552
• Éditeur: Nowakowski Richard J.
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible