MathDB
TOT 112 1986 Spring J6 Sisyphian Labour, 1001 steps, 500 rocks

Source:

August 29, 2019
combinatoricsgamegame strategy

Problem Statement

( "Sisyphian Labour" ) There are 10011001 steps going up a hill , with rocks on some of them {no more than 1 rock on each step ) . Sisyphus may pick up any rock and raise it one or more steps up to the nearest empty step . Then his opponent Aid rolls a rock (with an empty step directly below it) down one step . There are 500500 rocks, originally located on the first 500500 steps. Sisyphus and Aid move rocks in turn , Sisyphus making the first move . His goal is to place a rock on the top step. Can Aid stop him?
( S . Yeliseyev)