Excavation Site Gems

"teo47;c-1623348" wrote:

"infinite_jests;c-1623214" wrote:
Got it to 10 moves max (0 instead of 10 for spacing)

x 3 x x 2 x
9 x x x 0 x
x x 1 x x x
8 x x x x 7
x x x 6 x x
x 4 x x 5 x

I think this is actually 13, since you might need to check the 3 adjacent squares around the 10th choice if it is the first rock you find. By switching your 9 and 0 I believe it takes it down to a maximum of 12 needed, since all of the adjacent squares around what you have marked as 9 would have been checked already by the time you get there. Then the worst case scenario is that you find a rock on the new move 9 (your move 0) and have to check all 3 adjacent squares for a total of 12 moves.

you're right. Nice catch @teo47 - Back to the drawing board to get below 12!

Edit: This is now changed to a maximum of 10 moves. Credit to davejandals for getting the right order. Square marked as 0 is actually the 10th choice.

x5xx9x
xxx1xx
6xxxx4
xx2xxx
0xxx3x
x7xx8x

we need numbered photos for any new theory. this maths is blowing my brain

Great info! It never occurred to me that there might be a pattern.

Hi, I've got this down to 10 moves max. Hope this helps someone :)


First 3 moves cover 5 squares each:

_ x _ _ _ _

x 1 x _ x _

_ x x x 3 x

_ x 2 x x _

_ _ x _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _



Next 4 moves cover 4 squares each:


_ x x 4 x _

x 1 x x x _

_ x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x _ x 6 x x




If you haven't found the gem in these 31 squares / 7 moves, you can finish the board in 3 more moves:


x x x 4 x x

8 1 x x x 9

x x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x 0 x 6 x x


I'd be keen to know if anyone's found a solution to cover the board in less than 10 moves

"davejandals;c-1623403" wrote:
Hi, I've got this down to 10 moves max. Hope this helps someone :)


First 3 moves cover 5 squares each:

_ x _ _ _ _

x 1 x _ x _

_ x x x 3 x

_ x 2 x x _

_ _ x _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _



Next 4 moves cover 4 squares each:


_ x x 4 x _

x 1 x x x _

_ x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x _ x 6 x x




If you haven't found the gem in these 31 squares / 7 moves, you can finish the board in 3 more moves:


x x x 4 x x

8 1 x x x 9

x x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x 0 x 6 x x


I'd be keen to know if anyone's found a solution to cover the board in less than 10 moves

Wow, you are correct! This is basically the same as what I posted above, but I missed that you can knock it down to 10 by testing the square in between the two blanks instead of testing them individually. Nice work!

Thanks everyone who posted in this thread, nice work! I have added this info to the Q&A strategy thread too.

"davejandals;c-1623403" wrote:
Hi, I've got this down to 10 moves max. Hope this helps someone :)


First 3 moves cover 5 squares each:

_ x _ _ _ _

x 1 x _ x _

_ x x x 3 x

_ x 2 x x _

_ _ x _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _



Next 4 moves cover 4 squares each:


_ x x 4 x _

x 1 x x x _

_ x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x _ x 6 x x




If you haven't found the gem in these 31 squares / 7 moves, you can finish the board in 3 more moves:


x x x 4 x x

8 1 x x x 9

x x x x 3 x

x x 2 x x x

5 x x x x 7

x 0 x 6 x x


I'd be keen to know if anyone's found a solution to cover the board in less than 10 moves

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Uh, it's pretty obvious that the smaller rocks are intended as a "hint" at where the gem is. It's like you people have never played minesweeper...

"afscott;c-1623424" wrote:
Uh, it's pretty obvious that the smaller rocks are intended as a "hint" at where the gem is. It's like you people have never played minesweeper...

We realize that but shovels are limited and figuring out the most efficient way to find the gem will allow us to get more materials.