Sunday 21 February 2016

Symmetric Tours of Squares and Diamonds

I reported starting a count of these tours a while ago. The result found was 274 tours in all of which 82 are of the double halfboard type. The first figure may still be short, and a further check is needed.

The second figure is definitely correct, checked by an independent method. There are three types of double halfboard tour according as the separation between the two links that connect the halves is 1, 3 or 5 cells. The numbers of these types are respectively 26, 28 and 28 adding to 82.

I'm continuing to work on my book on tours. At present in is in two parts each of about 250 pages. The first part being on History and the second on Theory.
 

Saturday 6 February 2016

Batten Down the Hatches!

It was disappointing to find that my chess grade has only gone up to 90. I was hoping it might get back to 100 as I had put in considerable effort and achieved some good results. It seems it is easier to slide two yards back down the greasy pole than to climb one yard up.

This afternoon I received a copy of a paper I had requested from a journal in Canada only a few days ago. On the other hand a cheque I sent to a company in Kent two weeks ago disappeared in the post, and I had to report the details to the bank to ensure it is not passed for payment.

When I went for an evening walk along the front yesterday evening for exercise and to see the sunset, I happened to see that a shop selling carpets was open, in the parade beneath the Marina building. This reminded me that I needed a mat to go under my chair to protect the fitted carpet from wear. I bought a nice colourful rug, about 1 by 2 metres, for £25. This has brightened up the room considerably.

It was windy out today and apparently the winds are going to get stronger during my 76th birthday on Monday, so it doesn't look as though I will be going out on any trip as I had hoped. Time to batten down the hatches and try to get some work done on my books.