Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/208 - The Nine Squares Game

by : $208$

 * The Nine Squares Game
 * Make the simple square diagram show and provide a box of matches.
 * The side of the large square is three matches in length.
 * The game is, playing one match at a time alternately, to enclose more of those small squares than your opponent.
 * For every small square that you enclose, you not only score one point, but you play again.
 * This illustration shows an illustrative game in progress.


 * Dudeney-Modern-Puzzles-208.png


 * Twelve matches are placed, my opponent and myself having made six plays each, and, as I had first play, it is now my turn to play a match.
 * What is my best line of play in order to win most squares?
 * If I play $FG$ my opponent will play $BF$ and score one point.
 * Then, as he has the right to play again, he will score another with $EF$ and again with $IJ$, and still again with $IJ$, and still again with $GK$.
 * If he now plays $CD$, I have nothing better than $DH$ (scoring one), but, as I have to play again, I am compelled, whatever I do, to give him all the rest.
 * So he will win by $8$ to $1$ -- a bad defeat for me.
 * Now, what should I have played instead of that disastrous $FG$?
 * There is room for a lot of skilful play in the game, and it can never end in a draw.