Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/203 - The Horse-Shoe Game

by : $203$

 * The Horse-Shoe Game
 * This little game is an interesting companion to our "Noughts and Crosses".
 * There are two players.
 * One has two white counters, the other two black.
 * Playing alternately, each places a counter on a vacant point, where he leaves it.
 * When all are played, you slide only, and the player is beaten who is so blocked that he cannot move.


 * In the example, Black has just placed his lower counter.


 * Dudeney-Modern-Puzzles-203.png


 * White now slides his lower one to the centre, and wins.
 * Black should have played to the centre himself, and won.


 * Now, which player ought to win at this game?