There must be at least n−k rows without a coin and at least n−k columns without a coin. Let r1, r2,…,rn−k be cells in the top row without a coin which are also in a column without a coin. Let r1,c2,c3,…,cn−k be cells in the first column without a coin which are also in a row without a coin. Each of the 2n−2k−1ri and cj are on a different positive diagonal, so we must have k≥ 2n−2k−1 and hence k≥(2n−1)/3.
Let (i,j) denote the cell in row i, col j. For n=3 m−1, put coins in (m,1), (m−1,2),(m−2,3),…, (1,m) and in (2m−1,m+1),(2m−2,m+2),…,(m+1,2m−1). It is easy to check that this works. For n=3 m, put an additional coin in ( 2 m,2 m ), it is easy to check that works. For n=3 m+1 we can use the same arrangement as for 3m+2.
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