Moving Counter Puzzles 131The following is a solution in eight moves: 5-13, (6-14,6-5),16-15, (3-11,
3-6),2-10, (8-7,8-16,8-3), (1-9, 1-2, 1-8), (4-12,4-1). This means that 5
leaps over 13 and 13 is removed, 6 then leaps over 14 and 14 is removed, and
so on. The leaps within parentheses count as one move, because the leaps are
made with the same counter in succession. It will be seen that number 4
makes the last leap. Now try to find a solution, in seven moves, in which
number I makes the last leap.
- A NEW LEAP-FROG PUZZLE
Make a rough board, as shown,
and place seventeen counters on the
squares indicated. The puzzle is to re-
move all but one by a series of leap-
ing moves, as in checkers or solitaire.
A counter can be made to leap over
another to the next square beyond, if
vacant, and you then remove the one
jumped over. It will be seen that the
first leap must be made by the central
counter, number 9, and one has the
choice of eight directions. A continu-
ous series of leaps with the same
counter will count as a single move.
It is required to take off sixteen
counters in four moves, leaving the
number 9 on its original central
square. Every play must be a leap.- TRANSFERRING THE COUNTERS
D EcFDivide a sheet of paper into six
compartments, as shown in the illus-
tration, and place a pile of fifteen
counters, numbered consecutively I,
2,3 ... 15 downwards, in compart-
ment A. The puzzle is to transfer the
complete pile, in the fewest possible