Having not read the paper, it sounds like the author is asserting that the game is solved under perfect play as a draw. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solved_

Having not read the paper, it sounds like the author is asserting that the game is solved under perfect play as a draw. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solved_game https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solved_game That would point to there being no advantage in perfect play. However, in imperfect play, the first or second player could still have a measured advantage.