Two players pick numbers from to (each number used at most once). The first player to reach a running total target wins. Can the first player guarantee a win? Example: , target . Player 1 picks . Player 2 picks any number. If Player 2 picks , total is and Player 2 wins.
So Player 1 should pick differently... can they force a win? Here's where Bitmask DP meets Game Theory. The set of used numbers is a subset, perfect for bitmask. The game state is which numbers remain.