outcome of a battle; issue of the contest
Refers to the result or fate of a battle, contest, or struggle; somewhat literary or formal.
勝敗の数はまだ決まっていない。
The outcome of the battle is not yet decided.
Compound of 勝敗 (victory or defeat) + の (possessive particle) + 数 (number, fate). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the phrase is conventionally associated with the outcome of a battle.