Problem

Source: 2022 IMOC C1

Tags: combinatorics, IMOC



Given a positive integer $k$, a pigeon and a seagull play a game on an $n\times n$ board. The pigeon goes first, and they take turns doing the operations. The pigeon will choose $m$ grids and lay an egg in each grid he chooses. The seagull will choose a $k\times k$ grids and eat all the eggs inside them. If at any point every grid in the $n\times n $ board has an egg in it, then the pigeon wins. Else, the seagull wins. For every integer $n\geq k$, find all $m$ such that the pigeon wins. Proposed by amano_hina