DK-GEORGMOHR 2013 Problem 1

The figure shows a game board with $16$ squares. At the start of the game, two cars are placed in different squares. Two players $A$ and $B$ alternately take turns, and A starts. In each turn, the player chooses one of the cars and moves it one or more squares to the right. The left-most car may never overtake or land on the same square as the right-most car. The first player which is unable to move loses. (a) Prove that A can win regardless of how $B$ plays, if the two cars start as shown in the figure. (b) Determine all starting positions in which $B$ can win regardless of how $A$ plays.