PSA: FiveThirtyEight are running the problem again [1], and this time have released the data from the previous battle so you can see the soldier distributions that everyone took last time [2]. Submissions are due this Friday.

[1]: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-battle-for-riddler-n...

[2]: https://github.com/fivethirtyeight/data/tree/master/riddler-...

aw, the submission form says "Use this form to submit your strategy for the May 19, 2017, Riddler by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 28, 2017."

:(

This was a fun problem. I wish I spent a little more time on it. My solution and approach was pretty similar to the OP, code and write up here: https://github.com/mattdodge/538-riddler-nation

The biggest takeaway I think is that you don't even need to beat the "winning solution", you need to beat more of the general population than that solution does.

Damn, yours beats mine. :(

Haha, but that doesn't matter! You just have to beat more other people than I do.

I wish I read The Riddler more regularly—this is a really interesting problem, and I'm sorry I missed the contest!

The contest might be still on. The guy running it took a week off.