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9/3
<br>9/2
<br>7 THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 1972
<br>251ST DAY - 115 DAYS TO COME


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Rcd. [received] <u>NOSTALGIA</u> #149. Nothing of particular interest to me.
Rcd. a package with 2 copies of <u>SUMMIT</u> from M.B.
<u>Phil Orbanes</u> called. Simulations is interested in stiff board for
their games. He remembered the "jigsaw" board for <u>CREDIBILITY GAP</u>
and asked to look at it. Told him I'd bring it tomorrow (took it
from my space copy).
He was also interested in <u>FUTURE</u>. Told him that it was too
heavy to lug around. But I'll bring the rules with me.
Called <u>Eve Auchincloss</u> to check on whether they'll want another
<u>BOOK WORLD</u> column. Not in. Possibly she'll call me tomorrow.
Made 120 markers to use with <u>VIMGO</u>.
<u>Arthur</u> called to wish us a "Happy New Year" and to find out what
happened yesterday after Wald left.
<u>Martin Gardner</u> here in the afternoon, bringing along <u>John Harton Conway</u>.
Martin showed conway <u>NINE OF SWORDS</u> and he  liked it. Gave him a
copy and he said he'd check whether the solution was unique. Later
there was a discussion of the Book that Conway was doing with
two other people. I said I'd like a copy in return. He said it's a
bum deal, since the book will probably never be completed.
{<u>J.H. Conway</u>
Cains College
Cambridge England
(Permanent address)
{Dept. of Pure Math
& Math Statistics
16 Mill Lane, Cambridge England
(Quicker)
<u>Conway</u> told me about his game - <u>SYLVER COINAGE</u>. 2 play and
name numbers alternately. Can't name a number that can be made
by adding number previously [illegible word crossed out] named, taking numbers any
number of times. "He who names 1 loses" )?) He gave me some
info on winning starting numbers - etc. Didn't understand much
of it.
Gave Martin back the letters on <u>PINCH</u> and on <u>NAMELESS (NL)</u>
that I borrowed on 12/6/71. (I have reproductions.)
Martin loaned me three more letters from readers - <u>FEZ</u>,
<u>MEANDER</u> (which can be played with pieces from <u>AMOEBA</u>), and a
<u>GAME</u> without a name (played on triangular spaces).
Martin also gave me a program for playing <u>PATTERNS II</u> developed
at the University of Kansas.
They talked about variations of <u>TIC-TAC-TOE</u> where on player tries to
acheive [achieve] a straight line, the other to avoid it. On a 3x3 field the
<s>avoider</s> acheiver [achiever] can force a win. On a 4x4 whoever goes first can. On  5x5
or larger the avoider can. One further rule - either player can
put in either an X or an O on each turn.
Conway is thinking of preparing a <u>PUZZLE</u> for <u>Tom Atwater</u>
to try and market! There are a number of squares which fit
together in jigsaw fashion with either a male or female fit
(cont. on 9/3)