Two-Chip Linear Chase

The Chip Chase

There are 12 cells in a row.

Initial setup:

• White chip on the rightmost cell (position 12)
• Black chip on the leftmost cell (position 1)

Rules:

• Players alternate turns
• On your turn, move your chip one space forward or backward
• You cannot skip a move (you must move)
• You cannot move onto the opponent's chip

The player who cannot make a legal move loses.

Question: Who wins—the first player or the second player?