PUSS IN THE CORNER

This variation of the last puzzle is also played by two persons. One puts a counter on No. `6`, and the other puts one on No. `55`, and they play alternately by removing the counter to any other number in a line. If your opponent moves at any time on to one of the lines you occupy, or even crosses one of your lines, you immediately capture him and win. We will take an illustrative game.

A moves from `55` to `52`; B moves from `6` to `13`; A advances to `23`; B goes to `15`; A retreats to `26`; B retreats to `13`; A advances to `21`; B retreats to `2`; A advances to `7`; B goes to `3`; A moves to `6`; B must now go to `4`; A establishes himself at `11`, and B must be captured next move because he is compelled to cross a line on which A stands. Play this over and you will understand the game directly. Now, the puzzle part of the game is this: Which player should win, and how many moves are necessary?