Eight queens
Place eight queens on an chessboard (an 8 by 8 grid) so that none
can capture any of the others.
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Problem
This is a famous problem: Place eight queens on a chessboard (an $8$ by $8$ grid) so that none can capture any of the others.
Remember that a queen can move any number of squares across, down or diagonally.
This is a good one to do outside with seven friends standing on an $8$ by $8$ grid!
Is there more than one solution?
Getting Started
Where could you put the first queen?
Where could the next queen go? And the next ...?
You may find it helpful to draw a grid, or print off this one , and use counters.
Student Solutions
Samuel from Bispham Drive Junior School and brothers Thomas and Sam, have sent us solutions to this problem:
|
Samuel |
Thomas |
Sam |
Perhaps there are others? Let us know if you find any.
Teachers' Resources
Why do this problem?
This problem involves logical thinking and spatial awareness.
You could also focus on working systematically if you encouraged
children to find all the possible solutions.
Key questions
Where could you put the first queen?
Where could the next queen go? And the next ...?
Have you checked that each queen cannot capture any of the
others?
Possible extension
Children could investigate how the size of the grid affects
the problem.
Possible support
Drawing or printing off this grid and using
counters will help children try out their ideas.