MathDB
TOT 138 1987 Spring Main J3 9 pawns in a 3x3 square on 8x8 chessboard

Source:

April 17, 2020
combinatoricsChessboard

Problem Statement

Nine pawns forming a 33 by 33 square are placed in the lower left hand corner of an 88 by 88 chessboard. Any pawn may jump over another one standing next to it into a free square, i .e. may be reflected symmetrically with respect to a neighb our's centre (jumps may be horizontal , vertical or diagonal) . It is required to rearrange the nine pawns in another corner of the chessboard (in another 33 by 33 square) by means of such jumps. Can the pawns be thus re-arranged in the (a) upper left hand corner? (b) upper right hand corner?
(J . E . Briskin)