Oskars Matchboxes

[TheJuggler]

Some of you may be familiar with this puzzle, created by Oskar Van Deventer. It's a fairly simple idea, 5 matchboxes, with their drawers stuck to the sleeves at interesting angles, leaving no two the same. The idea to close all 5 drawers.

I recently won a copy of Eric Fullers version in a puzzle auction, and after a few hours had found 2 solutions. It has been rumoured that there was a third solution but the dimensions and gluing had to be spot on to allow it. Well after a lot more playing, I found what the third solution should be, but confirmed that it's not possible in Eric's version (he states there are only two solutions).

So determined, I went and bought some matchboxes, and made my own, to find that elusive third solution. The outcome, I have a copy where the third solution is possible.

I'll do a review on my blog fairly soon, but if you want to make your own copy from a few matchboxes, it fairly easy, and could be a fun little project. All in all, it's a good puzzle, and with only 3 solutions possible, it can be a real challenge to find the solution.

[a-maze-ing]

That sounds interesting!
This is indeed a beautiful puzzle with an amazingly simple basic construction. I first saw it in Allards collection at MPP1, and soon thereafter bought my own copy (a Philos reproduction). I was happy to find one solution myself, not knowing there were more. I'll try the 2nd and 3rd solution if I see a picture of the solved states.
Looking forward to you blog!

[KB64]

Hi Louis

Guess you got the Philos Matchboxes from Pientere?

Their version any good? - was thinking of getting a copy of their version but it is quite cheap so thought maybe it would be quite a poor copy?

[Alimorris]

Hi Louis

Guess you got the Philos Matchboxes from Pientere?

Their version any good? - was thinking of getting a copy of their version but it is quite cheap so thought maybe it would be quite a poor copy?

If you like Karl I can bring the philos copy to MPP so you can see if you like it. Louis it will save you bringing yours as they come in quite a large box. Personally I am very happy with the quality.

[TheJuggler]

Interestingly, the Philos version is to my knowledge the only version which has all three solutions that you can actually buy right now. The Trevor Wood version also has the three, but good luck getting one of those!

[KB64]

Hi Louis

Guess you got the Philos Matchboxes from Pientere?

Their version any good? - was thinking of getting a copy of their version but it is quite cheap so thought maybe it would be quite a poor copy?

If you like Karl I can bring the philos copy to MPP so you can see if you like it. Louis it will save you bringing yours as they come in quite a large box. Personally I am very happy with the quality.

Yes please Ali - would like a look if you can and yes good to save Louis carrying any more than he already will be.

[TheJuggler]

That sounds interesting!
This is indeed a beautiful puzzle with an amazingly simple basic construction. I first saw it in Allards collection at MPP1, and soon thereafter bought my own copy (a Philos reproduction). I was happy to find one solution myself, not knowing there were more. I'll try the 2nd and 3rd solution if I see a picture of the solved states.
Looking forward to you blog!

The review is written. It will be posted tomorrow morning (US time) once I've added the photos. To save anyone from being upset by me posting the solved states, I've kept them in links that can't be seen accidentally, so I'm giving nothing away (just in case you want to find the solutions yourselves).