Well, after being infactuated by Rubik's Maze, I decided to create a six tile magic with a similar theme.


Mixed



Solved top face



Solved bottom face



(the line is also supposed to be continuous when going from face to face)


Six tiles are *not* that many, but trust me, it is not as easy as it looks!!!
(ok ok... probably one of the reasons this wasn't easy was because I couldn't stop laughing as it looks soooooo cute LOL)




Peter

Well done!
I don't remember any magic, both sides of whitch are used to form "solved" pattern.
6 tiles magic is really worth to make. Congratulations!

Thanks!

A six tile magic is definitely different than a four tile or eight tile magic.
From what I have seen, it behaves quite differently.
Moreover, most of the key positions are 3-d style and should be handled with care, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is just starting to use magics.

As for a solution on both sides at the same time, it is true that it would be trivial if there was a predesigned picture different to the one on the other side.
(that is, when reaching the 2x3 rectangle form)

But adding a "2x3 Rubik's Maze" theme, gives to a six-tiles-puzzle another dimension. I admit, I am very pleased with it.



Peter


PS I wish I could make it have a "cube position", but so far it has been impossible to do (unless I re-string it LOL)

Build one in cube shape and try to get it flat. Though... you're the math guy, right? So you're not supposed to make it a cube, you're supposed to prove that this is impossible.

More than 2 years ago I designed 6 tiles magic having a "cube solution"
viewtopic.php?t=2457&highlight=

The key part is the different ways that the strings are placed. All the magics are essentially a closed loop when they are stringed.
However, if it is a six-tiled one, I am afraid it will have to be an open loop in order to achieve a cube shape... (still though, I am investigating this!)




Peter

WOW! that is a LOVELY puzzle!

do you remember the moves required to achieve the shape?
I guess the stringing was made the standard (closed loop) way, right?



Peter


PS And it seems Michael had the idea of making a Magic Maze along time ago before I did! LOL

I don't remember right now, but I have it on paper somewhere (It isn't easy to find ). I think, Guus Razoux Schultz discovered the method of making the cube. Probably, it was published in some old CFF (~1988). I got one page copy from Geert.

You are right about standard stringing. So, your magic could be made into cube shape. One move isn't standard and strings suffer significant stretch. But I remember repeating the proces many times without breaking a single string.

*frantically searches for the "secret-cube" move*





This whole search reminds me of the original Rubik's Maze! LOL
I am just wondering if - after discovering the secret move - there is a configuration with a closed black line as well!

If that is true, this puzzle would be a real gem!!!
(i.e. two completely solved status, each seperated by a secret move!)



Peter

I found the move!!!!!

Oh my God, that is so cool. It is even harder than the move in the "Create the cube" puzzle!

Now I must check if I can get a closed black line!!!
Juozas, thank you for letting me know that such a move existed!



Peter

Yeah Kastellorizo.

This puzzle is very very cute.

What's the next thing you are gonna build into a maze? Maybe your underpants? hehehehe.

Really, very nice Job!! I like it!

Thanks David!


After some testing, I still haven't concluded if there is a closed black line when reaching the cube form.


What I do know though, is some more details about the "secret-cube" move:

(1) It can be done when the magic-6 is in a similar status to the magic-8 before "creating the cube".
(2) In the magic-8, we need to exchange two pairs of lines while going from flat to cube.
But since the magic-6 has two tiles less than the magic-8, that gives less flexibility.
Performing the above move will then require the exchange of four pairs of strings.
Thus, the puzzle is very vulnerable during that exchange, and the lines might come off (but it didn't happen to me yet!).
Of course, if the puzzle was an open-loop one (as I said in a previous message above), this move would be very straightforward to do.

But vulnerable or not, it is an exceptional move to know!




Peter

Here are the steps of how to perform the "secret-cube" move.
(for more information regarding the Magic Maze, click here to view the Magic Maze Spotlight!).























Peter