By repeatedly moving counters into the empty space can you swap the positions of the red and yellow counters.
The objective is to have the red counters on the right and yellow counters on the left as in this diagram:
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I created this puzzle during a visit to the village of Pu Wiang (Phu Wiang) in Northern Thailand.
The concept for the game is not original (see Leapfrog) but the game board is. It is based on the pentagram which was said to have been used as a symbol or sign of recognition by the Pythagoreans, mathematicians and numerologists from many years ago.
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Do you have a strategy for completing this puzzle in the minimum number of moves? Can you prove that the strategy you have used is the best? Could you design an extension to this puzzle that is even more challenging?
Complete the puzzle once then claim your trophy to record the number of moves used. You can then try the puzzle again, each time you improve on your personal best claim another trophy to record the fact.
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