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game with 3 boxes and 2008, 2009,2010 game pieces, winning strategy

Source: Germany Federal - Bundeswettbewerb Mathematik 2009, round 2, p1

April 9, 2020
combinatoricsgamegame strategywinning strategy

Problem Statement

At the start of a game there are three boxes with 2008,20092008, 2009 and 20102010 game pieces Anja and Bernd play in turns according to the following rule: When it is your turn, select two boxes, empty them and then distribute the pieces from the third box to the three boxes, such that no box may remain empty.If you can no longer complete a turn, you have lost. Who has a winning strategy when Anja starts?