LIFO-search: A min-max theorem and a searching game for cycle-rank and tree-depth

We introduce a variant of the classic node search game called LIFO-search where searchers are assigned different numbers. The additional rule is that a searcher can be removed only if no searchers of lower rank are in the graph at that moment. We show that all common variations of the game require the same number of searchers. We then introduce the notion of (directed) shelters in (di)graphs and prove a min–max theorem implying their equivalence to the cycle-rank/tree-depth parameter in (di)graphs. As (directed) shelters provide escape strategies for the fugitive, this implies that the LIFO-search game is monotone and that the LIFO-search parameter is equivalent to the one of cycle-rank/treedepth in (di)graphs. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.