I reacent took apart my Gordian's knot puzzle. Some how I misplaced the book for it so now I don't know how to put it together . I think I just need to know how each piece faces then I can put them in but they do have to be facing the right way though. Below is a picture of what it looks like.

http://www.thinkfun.com/PRODUCT.ASPX?Pa ... uctId=6820

I'd prefer printing out the solution.

"Gordian’s Knot
The World's Toughest Brainteaser Challenge. In ancient times, the great Oracles proclaimed that whoever solved the mystery the Gordian knot would rule the world. For 400 years, the knot remained a mystery until Alexander the Great solved it and went on to rule great kingdoms. Today the classic tradition of the world's puzzle continues! This colorful modern variation features just six interlocking pieces but takes 69 different moves to take it all apart. A step-by- step how-to booklet will jump-start the most perplexed AND help you put the puzzle back together if, rather, once it has been solved!
Features: Six colorful interlocking pieces, 40-page step-by-step solution book, easy-to-follow reassembly instructions."

as i look/search. i came across the above quote... 69 moves to get it all apart? how many to remove the first piece? i'm familiar with burr type puzzles, and gotta say that's a whole lotta moves!

**on my way to keep looking**

hmmm, hope this helps ya Darren...

http://www.geocities.com/abcmcfarren/math/gordian.htm

Keep up the good work. Update me on what ever you find. Well where half way there in number of moves.



Its a start or should I say finish because do remember taking off the yellow piece first.

i'm sorry i don't know much about the puzzle... i actually asked someone else that i know that deals with burr type puzzles and awaiting a reply...

so far, i dug up this site...

http://home.comcast.net/~l-whiting/attb ... Burrs.html

within that site it has a link to a solution (it's not coming up for me, but hopefully you'll have a better shot)...

it's also known as the 'extreme torture' puzzle.
the solution don't have the color coridination pieces, but hopefully you can work it out by the shapes.
the solution found on that site is great for other burr type puzzles. i think it's sorta like Jaap's site but for burrs

Thanks a lot thats what I'm looking for. To bad the pictures stick but I think I can hopefully print the rest off.



Yea I know what you mean I hope I don't get confused on that.


I like the site alot and I'm into interlocking puzzles. Its now bookmarked thank you.

the reply:

Hi there,

The puzzle was actually invented by a Dutch friend of ours - Frans de Vreugd. He came up with the idea of this and some other "board burrs" in 2002-2003 or so.

Here's some links to info about the actual puzzle.
http://www.maa.org/editorial/mathgames/ ... 02_04.html
http://home.comcast.net/~l-whiting/attb ... story.html

As far as I know it's not being made in wood.

Here's an original prototype version made from acrylic by George Miller that also might interest you.
http://www.puzzlepalace.com/puzzle.php? ... Num=200201


i don't believe there are solutions, but you may have to dig deeper. that's all the info i get. hope it sheds some light on the puzzle.

Darren:

Do you still need a solution? You started an interest in this puzzle for me, so I just bought one (thanks for the link )

When it comes in, I'll try and post a pic of the manual.

No I don't need it. It was just under some papers thats all. I found it after your last post.



Your welcome!!!!! I hope you like the puzzle. I know I do.



cool!!!!!

History Of The Original Gordian Knot

The original Gordian Knot is a famous story from the eigth century B.C. Asia Minor. As the story goes, the people had lost their king and their oracle announced that the next person to ride into twon pulling an oxcart would be the new ruler.

That person was Gordius, who, once crowned, tied up his cart with an extremely intricate knot. Over time, legend grew that the person who solved the knot would rule the world. For 400 years the knot remained a puzzle until Alexander the Great solved it and went on to rule great Kingdoms.

Since ancient times, the Gordian Knot has been synonymous with the unsolvable puzzle. Today the tradition of the world's toughest puzzle continues. Our modern version will challenge your intellect and try your patience, but who knows, once you solve Gordians Knot, you too may rule great kingdoms.


NOTE: This is taken verbatium from the manual that came with this puzzle. The rest of the manual are pictures, step by step to take apart and put together. The book can flip depending on which way you want to go. Sorry, would have posted pics, but that'd be at least 70 pics including each step - so I just wrote out the main story about the puzzle.