English

A Complete Classification of Ideal Chomp Games on Low-Rank Algebras

Combinatorics 2025-11-04 v1 Rings and Algebras

Abstract

We completely classify winning strategies in the Ideal Chomp Game played on Kˉ\bar{K}-algebras R of rank at most 6. In this two-player combinatorial game, players alternately add generators to build an ideal inside a given ring R, with the player who builds an ideal equal to the entire ring losing. We prove that player A has a winning strategy on all Kˉ\bar{K}-algebras R up to rank 6 except for five specific cases: Kˉ\bar{K} itself, Kˉ[x,y]/(x,y)2\bar{K}[x, y]/(x, y)^2, and three other local algebras. Our methods combine game-theoretic analysis with the structure theory of Artinian rings and computational verification. We also discuss a classical result of Henson on winning strategies in the Ideal Chomp Game, as well as ideas and open questions about the Ideal Chomp Game on higher-dimensional Kˉ\bar{K}-algebras.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2511.01673,
  title  = {A Complete Classification of Ideal Chomp Games on Low-Rank Algebras},
  author = {Leopold Karl},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.01673},
  year   = {2025}
}