THE TWICKENHAM PUZZLE.
(
Moving Counter Problem)
[Illustration:
( I ) ((N))
( M ) ((A))
( H ) ((T))
( E ) ((W))
( C ) ((K))
( )
]
In the illustration we have eleven discs in a circle. On five of the
discs we place white counters with black letters--as shown--and on five
other discs the black counters with white letters. The bottom disc is
left vacant. Starting thus, it is required to get the counters into
order so that they spell the word "Twickenham" in a clockwise direction,
leaving the vacant disc in the original position. The black counters
move in the direction that a clock-hand revolves, and the white counters
go the opposite way. A counter may jump over one of the opposite colour
if the vacant disc is next beyond. Thus, if your first move is with K,
then C can jump over K. If then K moves towards E, you may next jump W
over C, and so on. The puzzle may be solved in twenty-six moves.
Remember a counter cannot jump over one of its own colour.
Answer:
Play the counters in the following order: K C E K W T C E H M K W T A N
C E H M I K C E H M T, and there you are, at Twickenham. The position
itself will always determine whether you are to make a leap or a simple
move.
