All Divisions
Beginner
Each image above is a separate Mastermind
game that has a unique solution on the next move.
In Mastermind, the codemaker conceals
a four color code consisting of any combination of white,
red, yellow, green, blue and black (colors can repeat).
The codebreaker tries to guess the exact sequence of
colors in the fewest guesses. The codemaker gives him
feedback with the little black and white pegs - a white
peg means right color, wrong place, and a black peg
means right color, right place. Note that if there are
two yellows in the guess, for example, and only one
yellow in the code, that earns one peg, not two. {The
scores are repeated under each game in case the images
are difficult to read, otherwise they have no significance}
Each successive guess should be consistent
with the feedback on all previous guesses. Four pegs
means you have all the right colors, but not all of
them are in the right place. Four black pegs means you've
cracked the code. Now what does it all add up to?
Regular
Each image above is a separate Mastermind
game that has a unique solution on the next move. white
= right color, wrong location. black = right color,
right location. Four black pegs means you've cracked
the code! {The scores are repeated under each game
in case the images are difficult to read, otherwise
they have no significance}
Masters
white = right color, wrong location black
= right color, right location the scores are repeated
under each game in case the images are difficult to
read, otherwise they have no significance
Without going
into how to solve each individual game, every one had
a unique solution. Once you had the correct configuration,
substitute the numbers (positive or minus) from the
grid at the top of the clue, add them up, and each game
yielded a number.
Some teams pointed
out that the order didn't matter in the final answer.
So, for example, in the 5th, 7th, and 10th games, you
already knew from the 4 black/white pegs which four
colors were in the answer, and you could just add them
up and get the numeric solution to that game without
solving it. True - we intended it that way, and this
rewarded observant teams by saving time.
The final numeric
solution was a phone number. Call it, and you were instructed
to go to XOX Truffles on Columbus Avenue, and ask Jean-Marc
for something from the "Charlie Bucket."
At XOX Truffles,
teams received the following edible clue which was made
of Graham crackers, chocolate truffles, and marshmallows.
Yes, it was S'mores code!
and the following
written instructions:
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As you can see, this is a tiny shop, and very
busy. Please be considerate of Jean-Marc and do
not hang around the shop to solve the rest of
the clue. We suggest that you turn right out the
door, go a half block north (downhill), cross
the street to the block containing the library
and playground and work on the S'mores code there.
For the purpose of the code, marshmallows and
truffles are both dots, and the licorice serves
as a spacer between letters.
What's free?
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Players who had
read the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
would recognize the drawing as Mike Teavee, one of the
five children who won the Golden Tickets, who was obsessed
with television.
The S'mores code
message was "CIRCLE TV" - this is a store
1/2 block downhill from XOX Truffles, and across the
street.
The answer to
the question "What's free?" is: ESTIMATES
and LOANERS
