Void contest winners

The void contest which was organised during the set-up of the first void
games has ended. The contestants had to answer how many powers would at most
survive the first winter season in this 36-player variant, given that each
unit on the board is ordered to move to an adjacent SC in the first season,
and substantiate it with a complete move list. The answer is 30. It took the
overall winner, Samuli Takala ('Samppa'), less than 2 hours to come up with
the answer, the second, Joseph Wheeler ('Sloth') less than 4. Both agreed to
have their name published, for which I'm grateful, as it protects me against
allegations of breaching a player's anonimity. They're starting with their
prefered power in the game void and silentvoid resp. Others have sent in
their solutions (most famously Manus Hand, the judgekeeper, though he played
outside the contest), and sometimes even explained their reasoning process,
a most commendable effort. Even if they didn't win, they will have gained a
considerable insight into the opening dynamics of the void variant.

The contest has been played, the first games have started, let the fun
begin.

Mario.