Genus theory

In the mathematical theory of games, genus theory in impartial games is a theory by which some games played under the misère play convention can be analysed, to predict the outcome class of games.

Genus theory was first published in the book On Numbers and Games, and later in Winning Ways for your Mathematical Plays Volume 2.

Unlike the Sprague–Grundy theory for normal play impartial games, genus theory is not a complete theory for misère play impartial games.