Tents and Trees

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Tents and Trees puzzle

Tents and Trees puzzle

A striking representative of Western puzzles, which developed in parallel with Japanese games such as Sudoku and Kakuro, is Tents, also known by the name Tents and Trees.

Developed in the Netherlands, this game is a classic example of a mathematical puzzle game played on a rectangular (usually square) field, placing “tents” next to “trees” on it.

Intuitive rules, simplicity and graphics (trees and tents instead of faceless numbers and symbols) make this game interesting for both beginners and experienced players!

Game history

Like many games of this type, Tents was first published in the pages of the Dutch thematic magazine Brainbreakers, which was originally (since 1993) called Eureka.

If in the first years after its creation the magazine was published once every 2 months, then at the end of its existence (by 2013) - only 2 times a year, which did not prevent it from becoming one of the most famous not only in the Netherlands, but also in other Western countries.

It was the Brainbreakers publication that was the first to publish in Europe such games as “Building Bridges”, “Subtotals”, “Rain Radar”, and many others, well known to fans of the genre. Among the most popular games was Tents, which at various times was called Zeltlager, Zeltplatz, Gebäudesicherung, Gut Bewacht, Bäume und Zelte, Gebäudeüberwachung and Observer.

The very first, original Dutch name was Alle ballen verzamelen, which translates as “Collect all the balls (balls).”

Most classic puzzles have survived to this day without information about who invented them, but in the case of Tents, the authorship is known. This is the Dutch designer Leon Balmakers, whose creation was published in Breinbrekers magazine in the early 90s. Moreover, the game itself was invented by the author much earlier - back in 1989.

Start playing Tents right now, for free and without registration! We believe you will succeed!

How to solve Tents and Trees puzzle

How to solve Tents and Trees puzzle

The Tents game does not use numbers and symbols, but graphic images of trees and tents. Initially, only trees are placed on the field, and the player’s task is to correctly place tents next to them.

The dimensions of the playing field can vary widely. The larger it is, the more difficult it is to solve the puzzle. In addition, opposite some rows and columns (horizontally and vertically) there are numbers indicating the required number of tents that need to be placed.

Game rules

The Tents game is distinguished by simple rules, and at the same time, by the complexity of the solution, especially if you play it on a large field. Each player starting a game needs to remember five game conditions:

  • One tree should “belong” to only one tent. Moreover, they must be orthogonally adjacent.
  • Placing a tent next to two trees is allowed, but it can only belong to one of them.
  • Tents should not be in contact with each other: neither vertically/horizontally, nor diagonally.
  • The numbers opposite the horizontal lines and vertical columns of the playing field indicate the number of tents that need to be placed in them.
  • Unnumbered rows and columns can contain any number of tents.

All of the listed rules do not contradict each other and lead to the only correct solution to the problem. To quickly reach it, it is enough to exclude all obviously incorrect moves using logic and deduction.

How to solve the puzzle

The numbers opposite the rows and columns are the main hint that the player can count on. Without them, solving the puzzle would be impossible. You should always start with the number 0 if it is present on the border of the playing field. All empty cells opposite it can be immediately marked with crosses, dots or other symbols, since there are definitely no tents in them.

After this, you can use the following tactics:

  • Count the number of empty cells and compare them with the numbers opposite them.
  • Search for possible pairs of “tent + tree.”
  • When you find the desired pairs, mark the space around them with crosses/dots so that there are no other tents nearby (follows from rule 3).

Filling the cells next to zeros is the first on the list of priorities! After this, you should proceed to the largest numbers on the borders of the playing field. By gradually eliminating possible camping locations on it, you will find a solution using only logic and attentiveness!