Answers 391compelled to take the center, as in Figure G, to save the game, for this will
result in a draw. If Nought opens with a side, say 2, as in Figures H, J, K, L,
and M, and Cross plays as in H, Nought wins with 5 and I; and if he plays
as in J, Nought wins with I and 5. Cross must playas in K, L, or M
to secure a draw.
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I have thus shown the play for Nought to win in seven cases where Cross
makes a bad first move, but I have not space to prove the draws in the
remaining five positions B, G, K, L, and M. But the reader can easily try
each of these cases for himself and be convinced that neither player can win
without the bad play of his opponent. Of course, either player can throw
away the game. For example, if in Figure L Nought stupidly plays 3 on his
second move, Cross can play 7 and 9 and win. Or if Nought plays 8, Cross
can play 5 and 7 and win.
Now, if I were playing with an equally expert player I should know that
the best I could possibly do (barring my opponent's blunders) would be to
secure a draw. As first player, Nought, I should know that I could safely lead