Maker-Breaker resolving game

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new combinatorial game based on resolving sets in graphs, analyzing its properties and outcomes across various graph classes, and comparing it with the metric dimension.

Contribution

It defines the Maker-Breaker resolving game, introduces related invariants, and explores their relationships with metric dimension and graph structures.

Findings

Determines the outcome and invariants for several graph classes.

Shows that for many graphs, the game-based invariant exceeds the metric dimension.

Analyzes the impact of twin classes and pairing sets on the game.

Abstract

A set of vertices $W$ of a graph $G$ is a resolving set if every vertex of $G$ is uniquely determined by its vector of distances to $W$. In this paper, the Maker-Breaker resolving game is introduced. The game is played on a graph $G$ by Resolver and Spoiler who alternately select a vertex of $G$ not yet chosen. Resolver wins if at some point the vertices chosen by him form a resolving set of $G$, whereas Spoiler wins if the Resolver cannot form a resolving set of $G$. The outcome of the game is denoted by $o(G)$ and $R_{\rm MB}(G)$ (resp. $S_{\rm MB}(G)$) denotes the minimum number of moves of Resolver (resp. Spoiler) to win when Resolver has the first move. The corresponding invariants for the game when Spoiler has the first move are denoted by $R'_{\rm MB}(G)$ and $S'_{\rm MB}(G)$. Invariants $R_{\rm MB}(G)$, $R'_{\rm MB}(G)$, $S_{\rm MB}(G)$, and $S'_{\rm MB}(G)$ are compared among themselves and with the metric dimension ${\rm dim}(G)$. A large class of graphs $G$ is constructed for which $R_{\rm MB}(G) > {\rm dim}(G)$ holds. The effect of twin equivalence classes and pairing resolving sets on the Maker-Breaker resolving game is described. As an application $o(G)$, as well as $R_{\rm MB}(G)$ and $R'_{\rm MB}(G)$ (or $S_{\rm MB}(G)$ and $S'_{\rm MB}(G)$), are determined for several graph classes, including trees, complete multi-partite graphs, grid graphs, and torus grid graphs.