2.

Introduction to Puzzles & Games

Robert Snapp
[email protected]

Department of Computer Science

University of Vermont

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 1 / 44
1 Origins of puzzles & games

2 Johan Huizinga’s Homo Ludens

3 Roger Caillois’s Man, Play and Games

4 A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Logic puzzles
Chessboard puzzles
Mechanical puzzles

5 A survey of games

6 Bibliography

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 2 / 44
Origins of puzzles & games

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Kinderspiele, oil on wood, 1560, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 3 / 44
Origins of puzzles & games

Les Evans, Children’s Games. Poster commissioned by Play Wales (www.playwales.org.uk)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 4 / 44
Johan Huizinga’s Homo Ludens

Play is older than culture, for culture, however inadequately defined, always
presupposes human society, and animals have not waited for man to teach
them their playing : : :
Here we have at once a very important point: even in its simplest forms on
the animal level, play is more than a mere physiological phenomenon or a
psychological reflex. It goes beyond the confines of purely physical or
purely biological activity. It is a significant function — that is to say, there is
some sense to it. In play there is something “at play” which transcends the
immediate needs of life and imparts meaning to the action. All play means
something.

From Johan Huizinga, 1950 [4].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 5 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.
Play can build and define social communities: e.g., bridge clubs.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.
Play can build and define social communities: e.g., bridge clubs.
Play is often serious.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.
Play can build and define social communities: e.g., bridge clubs.
Play is often serious.
Two categories of play:

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.
Play can build and define social communities: e.g., bridge clubs.
Play is often serious.
Two categories of play:
I A contest for something, (e.g., a competitive game or puzzle), or

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The nature of play (Huizinga)

Play is fun. (Fun is an aesthetic quality, like beauty that resists logical analysis.)
Play is a voluntary activity: it expresses freedom.
Play is not “ordinary” or “real” life, but has a disposition all its own.
Play requires repetition.
Play involves tension (uncertainty) that is resolved in solution. (This includes
puzzles and solitaire games.)
Play has rules.
Play can build and define social communities: e.g., bridge clubs.
Play is often serious.
Two categories of play:
I A contest for something, (e.g., a competitive game or puzzle), or
I A representation of something (e.g., playing make believe, dance, or a dramatic
performance)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 6 / 44
The language of play (Huizinga)

Ancient Greece:
the suffix -inda denotes a child’s game:
I sphairinda: a ball game,
I helkustinda: tug-of-war,
I streptinda: a throwing game,
I basilinda: king of the castle.
paidia: “light-hearted” (or child-like) play
agôn: competitive play (e.g., the Olympics)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 7 / 44
The language of play (Huizinga)

Ancient Greece:
the suffix -inda denotes a child’s game:
I sphairinda: a ball game,
I helkustinda: tug-of-war,
I streptinda: a throwing game,
I basilinda: king of the castle.
paidia: “light-hearted” (or child-like) play
agôn: competitive play (e.g., the Olympics)
Ancient India (Sanskrit):
krı̄dati: play.
divyati: gambling.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 7 / 44
The language of play (Huizinga)

Ancient Greece:
Ancient China:
the suffix -inda denotes a child’s game:
wan: a children’s game.
I sphairinda: a ball game,
chen: a game of skill.
I helkustinda: tug-of-war,
I streptinda: a throwing game, sai: a tournament.
I basilinda: king of the castle.
paidia: “light-hearted” (or child-like) play
agôn: competitive play (e.g., the Olympics)
Ancient India (Sanskrit):
krı̄dati: play.
divyati: gambling.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 7 / 44
The language of play (Huizinga)

Ancient Greece:
Ancient China:
the suffix -inda denotes a child’s game:
wan: a children’s game.
I sphairinda: a ball game,
chen: a game of skill.
I helkustinda: tug-of-war,
I streptinda: a throwing game, sai: a tournament.
I basilinda: king of the castle. Ancient America (Blackfoot):
paidia: “light-hearted” (or child-like) play koani: a children’s games.
agôn: competitive play (e.g., the Olympics) kachtsi: a game with rules (chance or
Ancient India (Sanskrit): skill).

krı̄dati: play. skets or skits: to win a game.

divyati: gambling.

Play is universal!

From Johan Huizinga, 1950 [4].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 7 / 44
“Culture arises in the form of play.”

Real civilization cannot exist in the absence of a certain play-element, for

civilization presupposes limitation and mastery of the self, the ability not to
confuse its own tendencies with the ultimate and highest goal, but to
understand that it is enclosed with certain bounds freely accepted.
Civilization will, in a sense, always be played according to certain rules,
and true civilization will always demand fair play : : :
True play knows no propaganda; its aim is in itself, and its familiar spirit is
happy inspiration.

From Johan Huizinga, 1950 [4].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 8 / 44
Roger Caillois’s Classification of Games
AGÔN ALEA MIMICRY ILINX
(Competition) (Chance) (Simulation) (Vertigo)

PAIDIA Racing Counting-out Make believe “whirling”

Wrestling rhymes Magic Horseback
Tumult Etc. Heads or tails Tag, Arms riding
Agitiation Athletics Costumes Swinging
Laughter Waltzing

Kite-flying Boxing, Betting Volador

Solitaire Billiards Roulette Carnivals
Patience Fencing Skiing
Crossword Chess Simple, complex Theater Mountain
puzzles Contests and continuing climbing
Sports lotteries Spectacles Tightrope
LUDUS in general in general walking

From Roger Caillois, 1961 [2].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 9 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
Q: “What is the difference between a flea and an elephant?”

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
Q: “What is the difference between a flea and an elephant?”
A: “An elephant can have fleas, but a flea can’t have elephants.”

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]
I puns

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]
I puns
I tongue twisters

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]
I puns
I tongue twisters
I crossword puzzles (December 21, 1913 issue of The New York World.)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]
I puns
I tongue twisters
I crossword puzzles (December 21, 1913 issue of The New York World.)
I cryptograms

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
I riddles.
I palindromes:
“Doc, note. I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.” [1]
I puns
I tongue twisters
I crossword puzzles (December 21, 1913 issue of The New York World.)
I cryptograms

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 10 / 44
Word Puzzles: gmasran ! anagrams

Bill Amend, The Burlington Free Press, July 3, 2005.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 11 / 44
“The Zebra Puzzle,” (Life International, 1962)

1 There are five houses.

2 The Englishman lives in the red house.
3 The Spaniard owns the dog.
4 Coffee is drunk in the green house.
5 The Ukrainian drinks tea.
6 The green house is immediately to the right of the ivory house.
7 The Old Gold smoker owns snails.
8 Kools are smoked in the yellow house.
9 Milk is drunk in the middle house.
10 The Norwegian lives in the first house.
11 The man who smokes Chesterfields lives in the house next to the man with the fox.
12 Kools are smoked in the house next to the house where the horse is kept.
13 The Lucky Strike smoker drinks orange juice.
14 The Japanese smokes Parliaments.
15 The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.

Now, who drinks water? Who owns the zebra?

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 12 / 44
Sudoku logic puzzles

2 3 9 7
1
4 7 2 8
5 2 9
1 8 7
4 3
6 7 1
7
9 3 2 6 5

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 13 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Logic puzzles
Route finding puzzles

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 14 / 44
Route finding puzzles: Mazes

The Great Vermont Corn Maze, North Danville, VT, 2005.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 15 / 44
Route finding puzzles: Mazes

The Great Vermont Corn Maze, North Danville, VT, 2006.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 16 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Logic puzzles
Route finding puzzles
Chessboard puzzles

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 17 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
X Z0Z0Z0Z
q
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZXqZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0ZXqZ0Z0
6
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZXqZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0ZXqZ0Z0
6
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0™Xq0Z0
4
0ZXqZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another?

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0ZXqZ0Z0
6
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZXqZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0™Xq0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another? Can it be done?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0ZXqXq
™ 0Z0
6
0ZXqZ0™Xq0Z
5
Z0™Xq0ZXqZ0
4
0Z0ZXqZ0Z
3
Z0Z0™Xq0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0•Tk0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: the eight-queens
Can one place eight queens on a standard chessboard so that no pair of pieces
attack one another? Yes. Here is one of the 92 solutions.

8
XqZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0™Xq0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0™Xq
5
Z0Z0ZXqZ0
4
0ZXqZ0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0™Xq0
2
0™Xq0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0ZXqZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 18 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves? A knight has at most eight legal moves.

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves?

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
Chessboard puzzle: knight’s tour
Is it possible for a single knight to visit every square of the board, and return to its
original location in exactly 64 moves? One of the 13,267,364,410,532 (closed &
undirected) knight’s tours. [5]

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0Z0–UN0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 19 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Logic puzzles
Route finding puzzles
Chessboard puzzles
Planar arrangements

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 20 / 44
Planar arrangements: Tangrams

A Chinese ivory tangram puzzle, 19th century. (Jerry Slocum, 2003 [7]).

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 21 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Logic puzzles
Route finding puzzles
Chessboard puzzles
Planar arrangements
Mechanical puzzles

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 22 / 44
Mechanical Puzzles
Classification Scheme of Slocum and Botermans (1986) [8]:
Dexterity Puzzles: Rolling marble (or ball bearing) puzzles, Labyrinth puzzle.
Put-together puzzles: e.g., pentominoes, teaser puzzle, tangrams, eight queens, magic
squares, soma cube, 3d-jigsaw puzzles, puzzle rings.
Take-apart puzzles: Chinese puzzle balls, torpedo puzzle, japanese trick boxes,
Interlocking solid puzzles: wooden burr puzzles, Altekruse puzzle, Stuart Coffin’s puzzles.
Disentanglement puzzles: Chinese Rings, Torpedo Puzzle.
Sequential movement puzzles: peg solitaire, Tower of Hanoi, shunting puzzles, sliding
block puzzles, Rubik’s cube, etc.
Puzzle Vessels:
Vanishing Puzzles: Geometric dissctions.
Impossible Objects
Folding Puzzles: hexaflexagons

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 23 / 44
Dexterity Puzzle (c. 2500 BCE)

From http://puzzlemuseum.com/faqs/oldestpz.htm
(Image Copyright ©1996/2000 James Dalgety.)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 24 / 44
An interlocking solid puzzle: the Altekruse Puzzle

W. Altekruse invented a 12 piece puzzle in 1890. Stewart Coffin discoverd 14, 36, and 38 piece variations.
(Slocum and Botermans, 1986 [8]).

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 25 / 44
Sliding Block Puzzles

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 26 / 44
A survey of puzzles
Word puzzles
Route finding puzzles
Chessboard puzzles
Planar arrangements
Mechanical puzzles
“Impossible objects”

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 27 / 44
Impossible object 1

Author: Gary Foshee, from Slocum and Botermans, 1986 [8].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 28 / 44
Impossible object 2

Author: Gary Foshee, from Slocum and Botermans, 1986 [8].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 29 / 44
Types of Games
Word games
Games of chance
Combinatorial games
Games of decision

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 30 / 44
Types of Games
Word games
I Scrabble
Games of chance
Combinatorial games
Games of decision

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 31 / 44
Types of Games
Word games
Games of chance
I Dicing (hazard, craps)
I Lotteries
I Bridge, hearts, spades, gin rummy, etc.
I Poker, blackjack, roulette
I Horseraces
I Royal game of Ur, senet
I Parchisi
I Backgammon
Combinatorial games
Games of decision

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 32 / 44
Royal game of Ur (c. 2500 BCE)

British Museum, London.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 33 / 44
Senet (c. 1250 BCE)

Queen Nefertari playing senet. Scene from the 17th Chapter of The Book of the Dead. Wallpainting, 19th
Dynasty c. 1290–1220 BC. Tomb of Nefertari, Valley of the Queens, Thebes, Egypt.
Photo Credit: Werner Forman / Art Resource, NY

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 34 / 44
Dice games

Two women playing with “knucklebones” (tali or astragals). Hellenistic, 330 BCE. (British Museum, London)

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 35 / 44
Card games

Georges de la Tour, The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds, late 1620s. Louvre, Paris, (Photo: Giraudon).

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 36 / 44
Card games

Georges de la Tour, The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs, late 1620s. Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

This painting, together with its partner on the previous slide, represents what may be
the most valuable “Can you spot the difference?” puzzle on the planet.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 37 / 44
Types of games
Word games
Games of chance
Combinatorial games
I tic tac toe, 2D, 3D, : : :
I nim & hackenbush
I dots and boxes, sprouts
I mancala, bao
I chess, chess variants
I checkers, draughts
I reversi othello
I hex, bridg-it
I halma, chinese checkers
I Kensington
I nine men’s morris
I go
Games of decision

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 38 / 44
Go or Wei Chi

Felice Beato (1820/25–1903/07) Playing Go. Hand-colored albumen print. Ca. 1870–1880. Museo di
Storia della Fotografia Fratelli Alinari, Florence, Italy. Photo: Alinari/Art Resource, NY

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 39 / 44
Go or Wei Chi

Oldest known go board. From Arther M. Sackler Gallery, 2004 [6].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 40 / 44
Mancala

From Jean-Marie L’Hôte 1994 [3].

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 41 / 44
Boardgames from World War II

From www.bbc.uk.co

From www.dailymail.co.uk

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Types of games
Word games
Games of chance
Combinatorial games
Games of decision
I Rock, paper, scissors
I Prisoner’s dilemma
I Russian roulette

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 43 / 44
Bibliography
[1] Tony Augarde, The Oxford Guide to Word Games, Oxford University Press,
Oxford, 1986.
[2] Roger Caillois. Man, Play and Games, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, IL,
1961.
[3] Jean-Marie L’Hôte, Histoire des Jeux en Société, Flammarion, Paris, 1994.
[4] Johan Huizinga, Homo Ludens, Routledge & Kegan Paul, Ltd., London, 1950.
Reprinted by The Beacon Press, Boston, 1955.
[5] Brendan D. McKay, “Knight’s tours of an 8  8 chessboard,” Technical Report,
TR–CS–97–03, Department of Computer Science, Australian National University,
Canberra, 1997.
[6] Arther M. Sackler Gallery, Asian Games: The Art of Contest, Asia Society, New
York, 2004.
[7] Jerry Slocum, The Tangram Book, Sterling Publishing, New York, 2003.
[8] Jerry Slocum and Jack Botermans, Puzzles Old & New: How to Make and Solve
Them, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1986.

Robert R. Snapp © 2010, 2014 2. Introduction to Puzzles & Games CS 32, Summer 2014 44 / 44