You have a square 5 x 5 board with four rooks in the corners:

Note: for reference, assume the rooks are labeled A, B, C, D as follows: A    B C    D

You can move the rooks horizontally or vertically. The only problem is that when you move a rook, it will keep going in the same direction until it hits another rook or the edge of the board.

You want to move a rook into the darkened square on the board.

How can this be done in no more than 10 moves?

First I got it in 13... then eventually in 12... then in 11... and finally, yesterday, in 10. Thanks, Gamer, I love this one!

1. a to D1
2. d to B1
3. c to A1
4. c to A3
5. b to E5
6. b to C5
7. b to C2
8. a to D5
9. a to C5
10. a to C3... voila!

Posted by pleasance on 2004-03-18 08:31:53