How does Rainsford's decision to "play the game" with Zaroff advance the plot of

the story "The Most Dangerous Game"?

It advances the main conflict within the story and pushes the story's action / tension forward.

Explanation:

The short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell revolves around the fight for survival between the hunter and the hunted. This conflicting theme of survival and dominance is set in a ship trapped island owned by the barbaric General Zaroff.

Sanger Rainsford, the protagonist of the story had been left stranded in an island when he accidentally fell from his ship. This island was feared by all, for the game that was played was unlike any regular game. The hunter and the hunted were both humans, the former doing it for enjoyment and the latter, fighting for his survival and freedom. When Rainsford accepted the offer of "playing the game" invented by the General, it began to push forward the main conflict of the plot. This also allows the tension and action in the story to be further taken forward, bringing on the suspense and intensity of the whole story and theme.

Thus, the decision of Rainsford to "Play the game" with General Zaroff advances the main conflict within the story and pushes the story's actions or tensions forward.