The Stunmer Chess Board.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 29

The Stunmer Chess Board.

We have been favoured by the designer, Mr Edwin Stunner, Civil Engineer, with a copy ot a design for an ornamental chess board and papers relating thereto, which as chess novelties and curios, are' unique of their kind. In this design each dark squaro of the board represents in itself a chess board in miniature, with a geometrical figure traced on it, showing the course followed by the Knight in describing a circular tour pver the board. The feat of playing the Knight so as to traverse the board in 64 moves has long attracted the attention of chess players, since the celebrated mathematicians, Kuler and Demoivre, devoted tneir attention to it, andsome few examples of the solution of this curious, interesting, and perplexing problem are occasionally to be found in the columns of the Illustrated London Newß, British Chess Magazine, and other journals, and in works on chess. Mr Stunner who has devoted considerable time to the study of the problem, extending we understand to over 12 years, has succeeded in obtaining over 600 different designs, many of which are very pleasing. The 32 given on his board are the creme de la crtme of them and are remarkable for their perfect symmetry. Mr Stunner claims that nothing approaching them as regards symmetry of form has as yet been published, and he offers a prize of £30 for a similar design which giving for the 64-move route 32 figures equally symmetrical may be adjudged superior to his own. but, he thinks it right that it should be generally known that he believes not more than 40, including the 32 given on his board,' can be obtained. Mr Stunner also gives examples of a number of m«gic squares, the numbers in which, 1 to 64, are so grouped together that the vertical columns and horizontal rows of figures have in every case a common total of 260, while the numbers also show the course followed by the Knight in describing a tour. One example of a design given for two similar 32move routes, shows as many as 16 different groupings giving magic squares. The designs and curious combinations of numbers given by Mr Stunner are well worthy of careful study, and we commend them to the notice of our readers. Those who have attempted the solution of this interesting puzzle and who can therefore realise the difficulty it presents, will not be surprised to learn that many of Mr Stunner's designs were arrived at only after several hours of severe mental effort. We purpose giving from time to time in these columns problems illustrative of the Knight's tour which we think will be of interesfc to our reader. Subjoined is No. 1 of the series' The design is one by Mr Stunner. the words being borrowed. Our readers are to discover the first syllable which marks the starting point of the Knight, and to follow the syllables one by one in the order of the Knight's moves. The result will bo certain sentences which most chess players will endorse. A solution of the above will be given in our issue of September 7. In the meaatime we shall be glad to receive solutions of this interesting puzzle from any of our readers. Knight's Tour.

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