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Square Spin History: #1>#2

New Rules

This puzzle introduces two new square types:

  • Unmovable squares (Un)

  • Replaceable squares (Re)

Plus the concept of ambiguity!

Ambiguity of squares

Certain square types are defined as being ambiguous. When a square type is ambiguous, it can only be seen in the initial image of the problem! This does not mean that it only exists for the first move, ambiguous squares exist throughout the whole problem! Ambiguous squares will appear to be regular coloured squares in the desired image.

Unmovable squares

These squares contain a cross and they prohibit all moves that end up displacing it from its position.

Here is an example of an invalid move Showing an incorrect example on what looks like a snake However, this is a perfectly valid move What looks like a turbine spinning on an axis

Replaceable squares

This type of square contains a circle and it has a fairly complicated condition attached to it. It prohibits all moves that don't replace it with the same colour of square when the move changes its position upon completion. Oh, and this square type is ambiguous!

Here is an example of a valid move Three circles spinning There are some pitfalls to be aware of! For example, this requires two moves Image of a circle being chased

Recap of Previous Rules

  • Basic rules from #1

Problem #2: Climb the Mountain!

Two mountain climbers scaled a tall and dangerous rocky mountain using teamwork and wits. They had set up a camera to take photos of the climb at regular intervals however, the camera corrupted all of the photos except for two. Luckily the two photos had caught the start and end of their journey. Can you figure out what happened along their journey? Can you find out how they scaled the mountain Get a 7x7 grid to work with here or alternatively get a 7x14 grid here

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  • $\begingroup$ "no-computers" is really meant to be "no-brute-force" since I can't imagine solving this without some sort of visual aid! $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Jul 3, 2019 at 18:33

2 Answers 2

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I'm at 11 now, by using the circle on the right you can make your life a little easier.

enter image description here

ORIGINAL POST: I'm at 12. The big 4x4 spin seems unavoidable, and everything else is in service to it. Feels like everything is as efficient as it can be, but I wouldn't be surprised if I missed something... nothing I did feels overly clever, and I'd expect something like that in a particularly crafted puzzle such as this. The gray circle on the right does nothing and that gives me pause.

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Yep! Smoother second time around :). Those days are in the past now $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Jul 3, 2019 at 19:05
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    $\begingroup$ @Adam thanks I needed a little confidence boost (I've given some bad answers lately). These puzzles were fun. I think I preferred the simplicity of the first one, but this one had it's charms. I worry you scared some people off with adding too many new rules at once, but I've been guilty of that. $\endgroup$
    – Skosh
    Commented Jul 3, 2019 at 19:35
  • $\begingroup$ I quickly realised after making the #1 that these puzzles wouldn't have a future if I didn't add something. I struggled trying to make another #1! It was also unfortunate when I realised that I could only introduce Un and Re squares at the same time or else the puzzle wouldn't be fun. Hopefully your answer can act as a great example to anyone in the future if I make any more! P. s. I do plan to add more rules but I'm trying my best to ease everyone into it! $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Jul 3, 2019 at 20:07
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A naive approach somehow manages to get them up the mountain in

24 21 19 15 14 moves: (black are the fixed rocks, darker squares are replaceable, lighter squares are the normal ones)

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  • $\begingroup$ Good attempt and nice visualisation! The climbers took a way more optimised route though. Think about strategy, is there a way to cut out a lot of work? $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 9:06
  • $\begingroup$ Shaved off several moves since then, how close am I to your solution? $\endgroup$
    – AxiomaticSystem
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 21:00
  • $\begingroup$ You are definitely closer but you still have a bit to go! Try looking at the problem from a different perspective... $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 22:28
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    $\begingroup$ We have similar ideas on how to tackle this one, though the edit I'm looking at has errors. Step 4 requires a spin that is out-of-bounds, and the big spin in step 7 and 8 isn't possible because the replacement squares want to spin in opposite directions. $\endgroup$
    – Skosh
    Commented Jul 3, 2019 at 12:26

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