Token Shuffle
The tokens were swapped in this order and ended up like this. Where did they start?
How to play
- Each numbered position starts with one lettered token.
- The swaps listed were carried out in order, ending with the arrangement shown.
- Undo the swaps from last to first to rewind the row back to how it started.
- Write the starting token for each position.
Tips for solving it
None of these give anything away — they are just how people who do these all the time get unstuck.
- Undo the swaps from the LAST one to the first. Doing them forwards from a guess will not converge.
- A swap is its own undo - swapping the same two positions again puts them back.
- Redraw the whole row after each undo rather than tracking one token; it is far harder to lose your place.
- Check by replaying your starting row forwards through the swaps.
An example puzzle
Have a go at this one first — it is smaller than the real thing. The answer key is hidden until you ask for it.
Final order:
Swaps (in the order they were made):
- Swap positions 2 and 4
- Swap positions 1 and 2
- Swap positions 1 and 3
Show the answer key
Answer Key
Starting order:
Undo the swaps from the final row, last to first:
- Undo swap 1 <-> 3 → D C B A
- Undo swap 1 <-> 2 → C D B A
- Undo swap 2 <-> 4 → C A B D
What to expect on Patreon
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