Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Friday Puzzler -- 64 pawns
Alex Y
There are 64 pawns placed on a chessboard. Each square contains a pawn. Two players are on the same side of the chessboard. Each player takes turns and removes a pawn along with all pawns in the same column above it and those in the same row to its right. The player who picks the pawn at the bottom-left corner loses. Who can definitely win the game?
Re: Friday Puzzler -- 64 pawns
Bill Earl
You could eliminate the rule about about removing pawns above and to the right. Even if one pawn were removed at a time, the winning strategy would be the same
Well
Alex Y
The winner would be the same, and the same strategy would work. But you wouldn't need much strategy to win the game you propose 
True, but...
Bill Earl
The question was not about the strategy, but "Who can definitely win the game?"
Re: True, but...
Alex Y
Didn't mean to imply only partial credit. You are correct.