Most two person games are finite; for example, chess has rules that don't allow an infinite game, and tic-tac-toe obviously ends after at most 9 plays.

Let's define a new two person game: the "Metagame". The first player first picks any two person finite game (e.g., chess or tic-tac-toe). Then, the second player sets up the board (or whatever is needed) and makes the first move in that game, and the Metagame winner will be whoever wins that game.

The question: is Metagame finite or infinite?

The solution is either, Yes or No. It can be both finite or infinite, because there are no rules yet there are rules at the same time. That is only one of the reasons.

Posted by daniel on 2006-11-13 10:41:04