TY - JOUR

T1 - Attack-Defense Game Model with Testing

AU - Liu, Jiarui

AU - Mazalov, Vladimir

PY - 2026/6/1

Y1 - 2026/6/1

N2 - We examine a model of Colonel Blotto’s popular game in the form, proposed by Sonin, as a testing game. The model involves a number of objects of varying value, defended by one player (the Defender). The other player (the Attacker) first tests all the objects, obtains imperfect information, and then attacks the objects. We study the problem as a matrix game between the Attacker and the Defender, allowing one to find equilibrium strategies for both the Defender and the Attacker. Target heterogeneity and test signal quality (sensitivity a and specificity b) jointly determine the optimal strategy selection of both Attacker and Defender. An analysis of the equilibrium strategies is provided, depending on the quality of the information received.

AB - We examine a model of Colonel Blotto’s popular game in the form, proposed by Sonin, as a testing game. The model involves a number of objects of varying value, defended by one player (the Defender). The other player (the Attacker) first tests all the objects, obtains imperfect information, and then attacks the objects. We study the problem as a matrix game between the Attacker and the Defender, allowing one to find equilibrium strategies for both the Defender and the Attacker. Target heterogeneity and test signal quality (sensitivity a and specificity b) jointly determine the optimal strategy selection of both Attacker and Defender. An analysis of the equilibrium strategies is provided, depending on the quality of the information received.

KW - Attack-defense game

KW - Colonel blotto

KW - Locks-bombs-testing

KW - Mixed strategy

KW - Nash equilibrium

KW - Zero-sum game

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/8f9a8ccc-153d-3f21-91e3-3eb24e18475a/

U2 - 10.1007/s43069-026-00648-9

DO - 10.1007/s43069-026-00648-9

M3 - статья

VL - 7

SP - 62

JO - Operations Research Forum

JF - Operations Research Forum

SN - 2662-2556

IS - 2

ER -