Robust Chance Constrained Complex Zero-Sum Games
Pith reviewed 2026-05-21 09:32 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Unified framework for complex zero-sum games with chance constraints that converts probabilistic constraints into convex second-order cone programs under various distribution assumptions.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
The probabilistic constraints in the complex chance-constrained zero-sum game model admit deterministic second-order cone representations, ensuring convex feasible strategy sets and enabling explicit characterization of the complex game value.
Load-bearing premise
The uncertainty in the payoff matrices is assumed to belong to the class of Complex Elliptically Symmetric random variables or to one of the three specified moment-based ambiguity sets; if the actual distribution falls outside these classes the second-order cone reformulations no longer hold.
Figures
read the original abstract
This paper develops a unified framework for zero-sum games in which both the pure strategies and the payoff matrices contain complex-valued entries. By leveraging a linear isomorphism between complex and real vector spaces, we extend key results from real-valued convex analysis to the complex domain, establishing the validity of the minimax theorem and the preservation of saddle-point structure. Building on this foundation, we formulate a complex zero-sum game model that enables mixed strategies to interact with the real and imaginary components of the payoff matrix, and we characterize its saddle-point equilibrium through associated primal and dual problems. To incorporate uncertainty, we introduce a complex chance-constrained zero-sum game model (3CP) that handles individual probabilistic constraints defined by complex linear functionals. We first study the 3CP formulation under known exact distributions, focusing on Complex Elliptically Symmetric random variables, which generalize the complex Gaussian family. The framework is then extended to moments-based ambiguity sets, including: (i) distributions with known first two moments, (ii) distributions with unknown second-order moments, and (iii) fully distributed with unknown moments. In all cases, the probabilistic constraints admit deterministic second-order cone representations, ensuring convex feasible strategy sets and enabling explicit characterization of the complex game value. Numerical experiments, including a transmitter--jammer waveform interaction model, show how the proposed framework captures the behavior of complex mixed strategies. Additionally, we evaluate out-of-sample rates and confirm that practical behavior closely aligns with the theoretical guarantees.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper develops a unified framework for complex-valued zero-sum games with chance constraints. It leverages a linear isomorphism C^n ≅ R^{2n} to extend real-valued minimax theorems and saddle-point results to the complex domain, formulates a complex chance-constrained zero-sum game (3CP) with individual probabilistic constraints on complex linear functionals, and claims that these constraints admit exact deterministic second-order cone representations under Complex Elliptically Symmetric distributions and three moment-based ambiguity sets (known first two moments, unknown second-order moments, and fully unknown moments). This yields convex feasible strategy sets and explicit characterization of the complex game value. Numerical experiments on a transmitter-jammer waveform model are included to illustrate behavior and out-of-sample performance.
Significance. If the SOC reformulations are rigorously verified, the work would offer a convex-optimization approach to robust complex games with direct relevance to signal processing and communications applications. The extension to CES distributions (generalizing complex Gaussians) and multiple ambiguity sets strengthens the robustness analysis, while the numerical results provide concrete illustration of complex mixed strategies. The framework builds on external convex-analysis results, which is a positive feature for reproducibility of the core claims.
major comments (1)
- [Abstract and 3CP formulation] Abstract and the section introducing the 3CP model: the claim that probabilistic constraints defined by complex linear functionals (e.g., Re(w^H z) or |w^H z|) admit deterministic SOC representations for CES distributions and the three moment ambiguity sets is load-bearing for the convexity and explicit game-value results. The linear isomorphism to real space is invoked to import real-valued SOC results, but it is unclear whether the induced quadratic covariance terms properly inherit and enforce the Hermitian symmetry of the complex covariance matrix (including real/imaginary cross-block structure). Standard real SOC reformulations assume arbitrary positive-definite covariances; without explicit verification that the block structure preserves SOC-representability without extra constraints, the deterministic reformulation may not hold exactly as stated.
minor comments (2)
- The abstract refers to 'complex mixed strategies' interacting with real and imaginary components of the payoff matrix; a brief clarifying sentence on the precise definition of these mixed strategies (e.g., how support is defined over complex vectors) would improve readability.
- Numerical experiments section: while out-of-sample rates are mentioned, reporting the specific sample sizes used for the ambiguity-set constructions and the exact parameter values for the CES distributions would aid reproducibility.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful and constructive review of our manuscript. The single major comment raises a valid technical question about the preservation of Hermitian symmetry and SOC representability under the complex-to-real isomorphism. We address this point directly below and will incorporate clarifications in the revision.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: [Abstract and 3CP formulation] Abstract and the section introducing the 3CP model: the claim that probabilistic constraints defined by complex linear functionals (e.g., Re(w^H z) or |w^H z|) admit deterministic SOC representations for CES distributions and the three moment ambiguity sets is load-bearing for the convexity and explicit game-value results. The linear isomorphism to real space is invoked to import real-valued SOC results, but it is unclear whether the induced quadratic covariance terms properly inherit and enforce the Hermitian symmetry of the complex covariance matrix (including real/imaginary cross-block structure). Standard real SOC reformulations assume arbitrary positive-definite covariances; without explicit verification that the block structure preserves SOC-representability without extra constraints, the deterministic reformulation may not hold exactly as stated.
Authors: We appreciate the referee's observation on this foundational technical detail. The linear isomorphism φ: ℂⁿ → ℝ^{2n} maps z = x + iy to the stacked real vector (x; y). When the complex covariance Σ is Hermitian positive semidefinite, the induced real covariance takes the block form [Re(Σ), −Im(Σ); Im(Σ), Re(Σ)], which is symmetric and positive semidefinite. For the chance constraints involving Re(wᴴz) or |wᴴz|, the relevant quadratic term wᴴΣw translates exactly to a quadratic form on the real block matrix; the effective variance scalar remains identical. Consequently, the standard real-valued SOC reformulations for individual chance constraints under CES distributions and the three moment-based ambiguity sets carry over without requiring additional constraints beyond those already present in the real case. To make this inheritance fully explicit and address the concern, we will add a short remark (or appendix paragraph) in the revised manuscript that (i) states the precise block structure of the real covariance, (ii) verifies that the quadratic forms arising from the complex linear functionals lie in the SOC cone under the same conditions as the real case, and (iii) confirms that Hermitian symmetry is automatically enforced by construction of the isomorphism. This addition will strengthen the exposition without altering the main results. revision: yes
Circularity Check
Derivation relies on external convex-analysis results via isomorphism; no reduction to self-inputs or fitted predictions.
full rationale
The paper establishes the complex minimax theorem and SOC-representable chance constraints by mapping via linear isomorphism C^n ≅ R^{2n} to known real-valued results for elliptically symmetric distributions and moment ambiguity sets. This is an extension of independent external theory rather than a self-definitional loop, fitted-parameter prediction, or load-bearing self-citation chain. No equations in the abstract or described framework equate the game value or feasible sets to their own inputs by construction; the claims remain falsifiable against the stated distribution classes and Hermitian structure assumptions.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (2)
- domain assumption Linear isomorphism between complex and real vector spaces extends key results from real-valued convex analysis to the complex domain
- domain assumption Complex Elliptically Symmetric distributions and the listed moment-based ambiguity sets permit deterministic second-order cone representations of the chance constraints
Lean theorems connected to this paper
-
IndisputableMonolith/Foundation/AbsoluteFloorClosure.leanabsolute_floor_iff_bare_distinguishability unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
By leveraging a linear isomorphism between complex and real vector spaces, we extend key results from real-valued convex analysis to the complex domain... the probabilistic constraints admit deterministic second-order cone representations
-
IndisputableMonolith/Cost/FunctionalEquation.leanwashburn_uniqueness_aczel unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
Theorem 4.3... equivalent to the deterministic constraint Re(μ_M z) + Φ^{-1}(p) √(½(z^H Γ_M z + Re(z^T J_M z))) ≤ m
What do these tags mean?
- matches
- The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
- supports
- The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
- extends
- The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
- uses
- The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
- contradicts
- The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
- unclear
- Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
Robert A Abrams. Nonlinear programming in complex space: Sufficient conditions and duality.Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, 38:619–632, 1972. ISSN 0022- 247X. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-247X(72)90073-X
-
[2]
A variable neighborhood search algorithm for massive mimo resource allocation
Pablo Adasme and Abdel Lisser. A variable neighborhood search algorithm for massive mimo resource allocation. InMobile Web and Intelligent Information Systems, pages 3–15, Cham, 2019. Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-030-27192-3
work page 2019
-
[3]
A rewriting system for convex optimization problems.Journal of Control and Decision, 5:42–60, 2018
Akshay Agrawal, Robin Verschueren, Steven Diamond, and Stephen Boyd. A rewriting system for convex optimization problems.Journal of Control and Decision, 5:42–60, 2018. doi: 10.1080/23307706.2017.1397554
-
[4]
Lars Valerian Ahlfors and Lars V Ahlfors.Complex analysis, volume 3. McGraw-Hill New York, 1979
work page 1979
-
[5]
The basic concepts and constructions of general topology
AV Arkhangel’skiˇ ı et al. The basic concepts and constructions of general topology. In General Topology I: Basic Concepts and Constructions Dimension Theory, pages 1–90. Springer, 1990
work page 1990
-
[6]
Random-payoff two-person zero-sum games.Operations Research, 22:1243– 1251, 1974
Roger A Blau. Random-payoff two-person zero-sum games.Operations Research, 22:1243– 1251, 1974. doi: https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.22.6.1243
-
[7]
Giuseppe Carlo Calafiore and L El Ghaoui. On distributionally robust chance-constrained linear programs.Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 130:1–22, 2006. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10957-006-9084-x
-
[8]
Abraham Charnes. Constrained games and linear programming.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 39:639–641, 1953. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.39.7.639
-
[9]
Chance-constrained programming.Management science, 6:73–79, 1959
Abraham Charnes and William W Cooper. Chance-constrained programming.Management science, 6:73–79, 1959. doi: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.6.1.73. 23
-
[10]
Jianqiang Cheng and Abdel Lisser. A second-order cone programming approach for linear programs with joint probabilistic constraints.Operations Research Letters, 40:325–328,
-
[11]
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orl.2012.06.008
ISSN 0167-6377. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orl.2012.06.008
-
[12]
Jianqiang Cheng, Erick Delage, and Abdel Lisser. Distributionally robust stochastic knap- sackproblem.SIAM Journal on Optimization, 24:1485–1506, 2014. doi: 10.1137/130915315
-
[13]
Jianqiang Cheng, Janny Leung, and Abdel Lisser. Random-payoff two-person zero-sum game with joint chance constraints.European Journal of Operational Research, 252:213– 219, 2016. ISSN 0377-2217. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2015.12.024
-
[14]
Modelling and simulation of non-rayleigh radar clutter
Ernesto Conte, M Longo, and M Lops. Modelling and simulation of non-rayleigh radar clutter. InIEE Proceedings F (Radar and Signal Processing), volume 138, pages 121–130. IET, 1991. doi: https://doi.org/10.1049/ip-f-2.1991.0018
-
[15]
B. D. Craven and B. Mond. On duality in complex linear programming.Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society, 16:172–175, 1973. doi: 10.1017/S144678870001418X
-
[16]
George B Dantzig. A proof of the equivalence of the programming problem and the game problem.Activity analysis of production and allocation, 13:330–335, 1951
work page 1951
-
[17]
Linear programming under uncertainty.Management science, 1:197–206,
George B Dantzig. Linear programming under uncertainty.Management science, 1:197–206,
-
[18]
doi: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1.3-4.197
-
[19]
Neelam Datta and Davinder Bhatia. Duality for a class of nondifferentiable mathematical programming problems in complex space.Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Appli- cations, 101:1–11, 1984. ISSN 0022-247X. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-247X(84) 90053-2
-
[20]
Steven Diamond and Stephen Boyd. Cvxpy: A python-embedded modeling language for convex optimization.Journal of Machine Learning Research, 17:1–5, 2016. URLhttp: //jmlr.org/papers/v17/15-408.html
work page 2016
-
[21]
Oscar Ferrero. On nonlinear programming in complex spaces.Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, 164:399–416, 1992. ISSN 0022-247X. doi: https://doi.org/10. 1016/0022-247X(92)90123-U
work page 1992
-
[22]
NathanielRGoodman. Statisticalanalysisbasedonacertainmultivariatecomplexgaussian distribution(anintroduction).The Annals of mathematical statistics, 34:152–177, 1963. doi: 10.1214/aoms/1177704250
-
[23]
The Complex Gradient Operator and the CR-Calculus
Ken Kreutz-Delgado. The complex gradient operator and the cr-calculus.arXiv preprint arXiv:0906.4835, 2009
work page internal anchor Pith review Pith/arXiv arXiv 2009
-
[24]
PR Krishnaiah and Jugan Lin. Complex elliptically symmetric distributions.Communica- tions in Statistics-Theory and Methods, 15:3693–3718, 1986. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03610928608829341
work page 1986
-
[25]
Norman Levinson. Linear programming in complex space.Journal of Mathematical Anal- ysis and Applications, 14:44–62, 1966. ISSN 0022-247X. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/ 0022-247X(66)90061-8
work page 1966
-
[26]
Shuping Lu, Guolong Cui, Xianxiang Yu, Lingjiang Kong, and Xiaobo Yang. Cogni- tive radar waveform design against signal-dependent modulated jamming.Progress in Electromagnetics Research B, 80:59–77, 2018. URLhttps://api.semanticscholar.org/ CorpusID:115960839
work page 2018
-
[27]
Chanceconstrainedoptimizationwithcomplexvariables
RaneemMadaniandAbdelLisser. Chanceconstrainedoptimizationwithcomplexvariables. 24 InOptimization and Learning, pages 279–290. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026. ISBN 978-3-032-13589-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13589-6_21
-
[28]
D. Middleton. Man-made noise in urban environments and transportation systems: Models and measurements.IEEE Transactions on Communications, 21:1232–1241, 1973. doi: 10.1109/TCOM.1973.1091566
-
[29]
Game theory in complex space.Opsearch, 19:1–11, 1982
B Mond and GJ Murray. Game theory in complex space.Opsearch, 19:1–11, 1982
work page 1982
-
[30]
A minimax theorem for matrix games in complex space.Opsearch, 20:25–34, 1983
B Mond and GJ Murray. A minimax theorem for matrix games in complex space.Opsearch, 20:25–34, 1983
work page 1983
-
[31]
John J. Murray. A solution technique for complex matrix games. Technical report, De- fense Technical Information Center, 1983. URLhttps://apps.dtic.mil/sti/html/tr/ ADA137787/
work page 1983
-
[32]
Equilibrium points in n-person games.Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 36:48–49, 1950
John F Nash Jr. Equilibrium points in n-person games.Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 36:48–49, 1950. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.36.1.48
-
[33]
J. von Neumann. Zur theorie der gesellschaftsspiele.Mathematische Annalen, 100:295–320,
-
[34]
URLhttp://eudml.org/doc/159291
-
[35]
Hoang Nam Nguyen, Abdel Lisser, and Vikas Vikram Singh. Random games under ellipti- cally distributed dependent joint chance constraints.Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 195:249–264, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10957-022-02077-0
-
[36]
Hoang Nam Nguyen, Abdel Lisser, and Vikas Vikram Singh. Distributionally robust chance- constrained markov decision processes with random payoff.Applied Mathematics & Opti- mization, 90:25, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00245-024-10167-w
-
[37]
Mike Novey, Tülay Adali, and Anindya Roy. A complex generalized gaussian distribu- tion—characterization, generation, and estimation.IEEE Transactions on Signal Process- ing, 58:1427–1433, 2009. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TSP.2009.2036049
-
[38]
E. Ollila and V. Koivunen. Generalized complex elliptical distributions. InProcessing Workshop Proceedings, 2004 Sensor Array and Multichannel Signal, pages 460–464, 2004. doi: 10.1109/SAM.2004.1502990
-
[39]
Esa Ollila, David E. Tyler, Visa Koivunen, and H. Vincent Poor. Complex elliptically symmetricdistributions: Survey, newresultsandapplications.IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, 60:5597–5625, 2012. doi: 10.1109/TSP.2012.2212433
-
[40]
General sum games with joint chance constraints.Operations Research Letters, 46:482–486, 2018
Shen Peng, Vikas Vikram Singh, and Abdel Lisser. General sum games with joint chance constraints.Operations Research Letters, 46:482–486, 2018. ISSN 0167-6377. doi: https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.orl.2018.07.003
-
[41]
Shen Peng, Navnit Yadav, Abdel Lisser, and Vikas Vikram Singh. Chance-constrained games with mixture distributions.Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, 94:71– 97, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00186-021-00747-9
-
[42]
Zhangjie Peng, Zhibo Zhang, Cunhua Pan, Marco Di Renzo, Octavia A. Dobre, and Jiangzhou Wang. Beamforming optimization for active ris-aided multiuser communica- tions with hardware impairments.IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 23: 9884–9898, 2024. doi: 10.1109/TWC.2024.3367131
-
[43]
Hamed Rahimian and Sanjay Mehrotra. Frameworks and results in distributionally robust optimization.Open Journal of Mathematical Optimization, 3:1–85, 2022. doi: https://doi. org/10.5802/ojmo.15. 25
-
[44]
Complementarity formulation of games with random payoffs.Computational Management Science, 20:35,
Rossana Riccardi, Giorgia Oggioni, Elisabetta Allevi, and Abdel Lisser. Complementarity formulation of games with random payoffs.Computational Management Science, 20:35,
-
[45]
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10287-023-00467-x
-
[46]
Convex analysis.Princeton Mathematical Series, 28, 1970
R Rockafellar. Convex analysis.Princeton Mathematical Series, 28, 1970
work page 1970
-
[47]
P.J. Schreier and L.L. Scharf. Second-order analysis of improper complex random vectors and processes.IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, 51:714–725, 2003. doi: 10.1109/ TSP.2002.808085
-
[48]
Jieqiu Shao, Mantas Naris, John Hauser, and Marco M. Nicotra. Solving quantum optimal control problems using projection-operator-based newton steps.Phys. Rev. A, 109:012609, Jan 2024. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.109.012609
-
[49]
Vikas Vikram Singh and Abdel Lisser. A characterization of nash equilibrium for the games withrandompayoffs.Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 178:998–1013, 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10957-018-1343-0
-
[50]
Vikas Vikram Singh, Oualid Jouini, and Abdel Lisser. Existence of nash equilibrium for chance-constrained games.Operations Research Letters, 44:640–644, 2016. ISSN 0167-6377. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orl.2016.07.013
-
[51]
Vikas Vikram Singh, Oualid Jouini, and Abdel Lisser. Distributionally robust chance- constrained games: existence and characterization of nash equilibrium.Optimization Let- ters, 11:1385–1405, 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11590-016-1077-6
-
[52]
Vikas Vikram Singh, Abdel Lisser, and Monika Arora. An equivalent mathematical program for games with random constraints.Statistics & Probability Letters, 174:109092, 2021. ISSN 0167-7152. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spl.2021.109092
-
[53]
On general minimax theorems.Pacific J
Maurice Sion. On general minimax theorems.Pacific J. Math., 8:171–176, 1958. URL http://dml.mathdoc.fr/item/1103040253
-
[54]
Laurent Sorber, Marc Van Barel, and Lieven De Lathauwer. Unconstrained optimization of real functions in complex variables.SIAM Journal on Optimization, 22:879–898, 2012. doi: 10.1137/110832124
-
[55]
Dawen Wu and Abdel Lisser. Predicting nash equilibria in bimatrix games using a robust bichannel convolutional neural network.IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, 5: 2358–2370, 2024. doi: 10.1109/TAI.2023.3321584
-
[56]
Tian Xia, Jia Liu, and Abdel Lisser. Distributionally robust chance constrained games under wasserstein ball.Operations Research Letters, 51:315–321, 2023. ISSN 0167-6377. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orl.2023.03.015
-
[57]
Shangyuan Zhang, Makhlouf Hadji, Abdel Lisser, and Yacine Mezali. Variational inequality for n-player strategic chance-constrained games.SN Computer Science, 4:82, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-022-01488-0
-
[58]
Songchuan Zhang, Youshen Xia, and Weixing Zheng. A complex-valued neural dynamical optimization approach and its stability analysis.Neural Networks, 61:59–67, 2015. ISSN 0893-6080. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neunet.2014.10.003
-
[59]
Muqing Zheng et al. Unleashed from constrained optimization: quantum computing for quantum chemistry employing generator coordinate inspired method.npj Quantum Infor- mation, 10:127, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-024-00916-8. 26
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.