To solve sliding block puzzles, you first need to determine if the puzzle has a solution. If it does, then you need to find the shortest solution. If you canΓÇÖt find it, then take a break, have some coffee, and come back to the computer later.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS (page 14 of 14)
When editing, you first select an option from the toolbar. On the left board, you may add walls, add spaces, add new blocks, and change the blocksΓÇÖ designation. On the right board, you create the objective.
PROGRAM FEATURES (page 13 of 14)
When playing, you may toggle the right board between its showing the objective and the shortest solution on file. The arrows on the tool bar lets you view forward and backward through the solution.
PROGRAM FEATURES (page 12 of 14)
When playing, you move blocks on the left board. Simply click on a block and drag the mouse in a horizontal or vertical direction. If space is available, the block takes a ΓÇ£stepΓÇ¥. When the mouse button is released, the set of steps is called a ΓÇ£moveΓÇ¥.
PROGRAM FEATURES (page 11 of 14)
The game window has two boards. The left board is the actual playing area. The right board displays either the objective or the shortest solution on file.
PROGRAM FEATURES (page 10 of 14)
This program allows you to make new sliding block puzzles. It also helps you keep track of the shortest solutions. However, this program does not attempt to solve the puzzles. ThatΓÇÖs YOUR job!
PROGRAM FEATURES (page 9 of 14)
While computers can be used to find quick solutions, they can also be used to help people find solutions for themselves. ThatΓÇÖs why Sliding Block Puzzle Construction SetΓäó was developed.
USING A COMPUTER (page 8 of 14)
Sliding block puzzles have also been played on computers. In fact, the ΓÇ£15ΓÇ¥ puzzle was one of the first DAs on the Apple Macintosh. Several 10-Tile Puzzles have also been available. Meanwhile, TetrisΓäó became the first sliding block puzzle in real-time.
HISTORY (page 7 of 14)
The most recent revival of the sliding block puzzle took place in the late 1970ΓÇÖs and early 80ΓÇÖs and included a new category of three-dimensional puzzles. Among the most popular was the Missing LinkΓäó.
HISTORY (page 6 of 14)
The second most popular sliding block puzzle of all time was the Pennant PuzzleΓäó originally patented in 1909. Numerous versions of this puzzle appeared during another craze in the late 1920ΓÇÖs and early 30ΓÇÖs.
HISTORY (page 5 of 14)
The first popular sliding block puzzle appeared just over 100 years ago. It was called the ΓÇ£15ΓÇ¥ puzzle and it sparked a worldwide craze in 1879 and 1880. There have since been countless variations of the puzzle.
HISTORY (page 4 of 14)
The origin of the sliding block puzzle is unknown. One of the first was a patented sliding alphabet tool that was supposed to help children spell. In fact, many educational aids of this kind were introduced in the late 19th century.
HISTORY (page 3 of 14)
The object of the game is either to slide a block to a certain location or to put all the blocks in order. Blocks move around by sliding into unoccupied spaces. The goal is to do this in the fewest moves possible.
OBJECT (page 2 of 14)
The sliding block puzzle is one of the most popular of all mathematical pastimes. All you need are blocks (that may come in different shapes and sizes) and a lot of patience.
