4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle
Can you assemble the four pieces to create a 4×4 square with a checkered pattern?
Looking for more chess-themed activities and puzzles for your classroom? Here’s a few examples of the other chess-related activities I have created.
Instructions
Place the four provided pieces on the 4 x 4 grid to form a square with a checkered pattern.
Puzzle Source
I ran across this puzzle in a collection of 199 different mathematical puzzles that is offered as a free download from IREM de Lyon. This is a top-notch puzzle resource if you speak French.
I sadly do not speak French, but I was able to use the Google Translate app to translate quite a few of the puzzle instructions in order to use them in my classroom. Other puzzles I typed up from this same resource is the U Sums Puzzle, Magic H Puzzle, Lines of 3 Puzzle, and Equal Sums Puzzle.
This specific puzzle is #139 – Damier 4×4.
Notes for Using this Puzzle in the Classroom
When I ran across the book of 199 math puzzles from IREM de Lyon, I excitedly typed up probably 10 or so puzzles to use with my students.
I didn’t realize that this 4 x 4 checkered puzzle was so easy. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to type it up. This puzzle is definitely more suited for much younger students than my high school juniors and seniors. LOL.
Hopefully some of you who work with younger students will still be able to use this as a puzzle in your own classroom. If you do try it with high schoolers or adults – please do be prepared for them to solve it in a lot less time than it took you to cut out the four pieces.
Previously, I have tried a MUCH LARGER checkerboard puzzle with my students called Eight Checkered L’s. It was so difficult that I have only had 1 or 2 students ever solve it.
Free Download of 4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle
This 4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle is available to download as a PDF and as an editable Publisher File. To edit the file, you will need to have Microsoft Publisher installed on your computer.
Click here to Download
4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle (PDF)
1888 downloads – 60.71 KB
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
Thank you for the easier puzzle! I teach K-5 gifted and my K-2 students always want to get on the ‘Puzzle wall of fame’, but some puzzles are just too much for them (although they do love to try!).