Finding the Optimal Chess Board Puzzle Piece Arrangement

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the complexity of reassembling a chessboard after it has been cut into pieces. Participants explore various cutting methods, noting that the board consists of 64 squares arranged in an 8x8 format. The simplest method involves cutting the board into two large pieces, while cutting it into 64 individual squares presents a greater challenge. A key point of debate is identifying the arrangement of pieces that maximizes complexity in reassembly. Suggestions include cutting the board into L-shaped pieces or using pentominoes, with some participants questioning the definition of "most complex" in this context. The conversation also touches on whether the colors of the squares must remain in their original positions during reassembly. Overall, the discussion highlights the interplay between geometry, problem-solving, and subjective interpretations of complexity.
Ian Rumsey
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Everyone will appreciate that a Chess board consists of 64 squares.
The board is eight squares by eight squares.
A puzzle may be made by cutting the board into pieces , along the boundary of the squares, and then attempting to reassemble the pieces back into the original 8 x 8 square shape.
One might for example cut the board into two, making 2 pieces 4 squares by 8 squares which would be quite simple to solve.
Alternatively the board may be cut into 64 individual squares which would take longer to complete.
Somewhere in between these two extremes an arrangement of pieces, comprising of complete individual squares, will exist which will involve the maximum amount of complexity to restore the board into its 8 x 8 square format.
What arrangement of pieces would most satisfy this requirement.
 
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If you made the chess board into 4 even pieces. Cause of the alternate colours, it would be hard. I think. Either that, or cut it up into 64 pieces and destroy 1 of them. Ha.
 
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Higlight
cut it into L shaped pieces with different square counts
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Oh, i thought you had to cut it into actual squares, i didn't know you could make any shape you want. My bad.
 
I'm not sure I follow

This seems like an interesting question, but I don't understand what you mean by 'most complex'.
 
Neither do I, and as a chess player, I think putting a board cut up into L shapes together would be easy. I suppose asking "most complex" is a bit like asking "most tasty" or "most beautiful."
 
theCandyman said:
Neither do I, and as a chess player, I think putting a board cut up into L shapes together would be easy. I suppose asking "most complex" is a bit like asking "most tasty" or "most beautiful."

Most complex. That which is most difficult to solve.
 
I would say the twelve different pentominoes (60 squares in total) plus the 2x2 tetromino would form one of the most complex sets.
 
ceptimus said:
I would say the twelve different pentominoes (60 squares in total) plus the 2x2 tetromino would form one of the most complex sets.
Ceptimus,rather like your solution,can you form your twelve different pentominoes into rectangles.

20 x 3 ;15 x 4 ;12 x 5 ;10 x 6 ;
 
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Are all green and white squares considered equal or do they have to be back in their original places?
 
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