Lesson 5 HW, game #7

[Vexans]

Are there any clues we can look for when diagramming a game that might indicate that using a template will be useful? I see how much it helps to solve this game but I know that this is certainly not true for all games. I am worried that on test day I may waste a lot of time drawing templates that end up not being useful, or more likely, I will attempt a game that benefits from templates without drawing them.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Vexans,

Yes, fortunately there is a list of clues First, go to Lesson 9, page 9-18 and 9-19 to get some background information, and then use the following list for a more complete look:

The following list covers the elements that can help you identify a Limited Solution Set game:

Numerical Limitations

• 1. A Numerical Distribution.
  2. Either a small number of variables or a small number of available spaces.
  3. A scenario that creates multiple groups and then leaves only one or two spaces available in one or more of the groups.
  4. A game that fixes a significant number of variables and leaves only a few free to move.

Duality

• 5. A scenario that creates a two-value system, and then uses conditional rules.
  6. A rule that creates duality for any variable, such as, “R must be third or fifth.”
  7. A rule that creates duality for a space, such as, “Either P or Q must be first.”
  8. Games where the linear base is divided in “half,” creating a limited number of spaces on each side.

Overlap Between Rules or Variables

• 9. A variable that appears in three or more rules.
  10. Multiple rules addressing just a limited number of variables.
  11. A large number of rules.

Power Blocks

• 12. One or more sizable or unwieldy blocks. The more blocks present, the more likely the number of solutions are limited.
  13. Multiple negative blocks.
  14. A combination of three or more blocks and not-blocks.

Limited Randoms

• 15. No randoms in the game, or a single random in a game with six or fewer total variables.

That should hopefully get you started!