The Tic-Tac-Toe Mysteries of Xerloc O'Xolmes

The narrative revolves around a meeting between the protagonist and Xerloc O'Xolmes at the Xenocrates Club, known for its Tic-Tac-Toe enthusiasts. Xerloc introduces a puzzle involving a Tic-Tac-Toe game, emphasizing the strategies of "pretty good" players who prioritize immediate wins or block threats. As they analyze various game boards, they discuss the implications of players' moves and the potential for retrograde analysis, which involves deducing previous moves based on the current state of the game. The conversation reveals the complexities of Tic-Tac-Toe strategies, including the significance of the first move and the potential for multiple interpretations of game states. The narrative concludes with a humorous twist as they are interrupted before uncovering a critical detail about a game, leaving the mystery unresolved. The author reflects on their struggles with puzzle-solving and the inspiration drawn from Raymond Smullyan's works, noting the challenges of creating engaging puzzles for readers.

- The story features a puzzle-solving narrative centered on Tic-Tac-Toe.

- Xerloc O'Xolmes employs retrograde analysis to deduce players' moves.

- The concept of "pretty good" players is introduced, highlighting their strategic limitations.

- The narrative combines humor with intellectual challenges in game analysis.

- The author expresses admiration for puzzle literature while acknowledging personal difficulties in solving them.