No label defined (Q3973038)

[For the entire collection see Zbl 0721.00028.] This lecture provides a brief introduction to combinatorial games. It begins by giving a (partial) extensive definition of games by describing several classical (i.e., economic) games which are not combinatorial games, followed by a number of combinatorial games. A vast number of technical terms are introduced in the context of these examples. Two important families of games are explained. Domineering is useful because small members of its family can be used to represent all of the simplest (less than 3 days old) games. Blue-Red Hackenbush is important because of its relation to number theory. Finally, the relationship of game theory to number theory is described. For an introduction in similar style to game theory beginning with number theory, see \textit{J. H. Conway's} contribution to this volume [ibid., 23- 34 (1991; Zbl 0739.90078)]. The style is terse, and it is essential to work the examples (which can always be done in one's head) to understand the text. Economists and others familiar with classical game theory, but not combinatorial game theory, should consider this paper a recreational introduction to the latter.