WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

Posts

Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

#1

Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

Alex Y

This is the first of three puzzles involving a chess or checkers board. I'll post each of the others once the one before it is solved.

Assume your chess board is made up of 64 1"x1" squares. In addition, you have 32 dominoes that are 1" x 2". It s easy to see that you can cover the chess board with these dominoes.

Now, cut off diagonally opposite squares. E.g., if the columns are lettered a-h and the rows are numbered 1-8, eliminate the squares a1 and h8.

Now can you cover the remainder of he board with 31 dominoes? Show how or prove that it is impossible.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

#2

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

Larry Barrett

Each domino will cover one black square and an adjoining white square. Since the two opposite squares (a1 and h8) are the same color the 31 dominos can not cover the remaining squares.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

#3

Correct!


Re: Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

#4

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Chess Board 1 of 3

AlMorgan

Diagonals don't matter...if the coin is touching a diagonal square(of same color) it's also touching an orthogonal square(of opposite color)

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.