The Knight's Challenge

The History of Chess

The game of chess, which has tantalized and enchanted many of the best minds of the world for almost 14 centuries, originated in the Indus Valley in India in the 6th century AD. Originally known as Chaturanga (the "army game"), it spread rapidly along the routes of commerce and conquest, first to Persia, then to the Byzantine Empire, then throughout the rest of Asia. The Muslim world, on the threshold of its greatest scientific and cultural accomplishments, welcomed chess with unbounded delight. The Arabs extensively studied, analysed and wrote treatises on the game, and in the process developed the algebraic notation system. Chess reached Europe some time between 700 and 900 AD, in part through the Islamic conquest of Spain, in part via marauding Vikings and, later, Crusaders returning from the Holy Land.

The puzzle you are about to see is derived from the game of chess. I received this puzzle from Alison George, and it has proved to be a real toughie.

In this 10 by 10 grid, place the number 1 in any square. Then enter the other numbers, but you have to enter the numbers as the knight moves in chess, i.e. the move is L-shaped: move two squares in any direction, then one square at right angles to that direction (see figure below). When you have moved the knight a hundred times the whole grid must have been used. If you want a challenge, click here. Puzzle Index