1. Introduction:

This briefing document summarizes the key themes and important information found in the provided excerpts related to a variation of the classic Knight's Tour game. This variation, conceived by Theresa Heng and developed by Shaun Quek, Loo Kang Wee, Francisco Esquembre, and Félix Jesús Garcia Clemente, introduces a constraint where the knight can only land on squares marked with a star. The objective of the game is to achieve the highest possible score by strategically planning a route where the knight visits each starred square only once.

2. Main Themes and Important Ideas:

• Variation of the Classic Knight's Tour: The core concept is rooted in the well-known mathematical puzzle of the Knight's Tour, where a knight must visit every square of a chessboard exactly once. This version modifies the rules significantly.
• Restricted Movement: The defining characteristic of this game is the restriction on the knight's movement. As stated in the description: "In this version, the knight can only land on the squares demarcated with a star, with the knight only being able to land on each star once." This constraint fundamentally changes the problem-solving approach compared to the traditional Knight's Tour.
• Maximizing Score through Strategic Planning: The objective is explicitly stated as "to obtain the highest score possible." This implies that there is a scoring mechanism in the game, although the sources do not detail how the score is calculated. The description emphasizes the pedagogical goal: "Through this game, we hope students will actively plan out their route to maximise their score, thereby facilitating their critical judgement."
• Educational Application: The game is presented as an educational tool, particularly within mathematics. It aims to foster critical thinking and strategic planning skills in students. The inclusion under "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" and the "Sample Learning Goals" section (although empty in the provided text) further underscore this educational intent.
• HTML5 Javascript Applet: The game is implemented as an HTML5 Javascript applet, making it accessible through web browsers without the need for additional software. The embed code provided (<iframe width="100%" height="100%" src="https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/math/ejss_model_knight_star_to_star/knight_star_to_star_Simulation.xhtml " frameborder="0"></iframe>) allows for easy integration into webpages.
• Open Educational Resource: The game is part of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore initiative, indicating that it is freely available for educational use. The license mentioned in the first source ("Released under a license") likely aligns with the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License specified at the end of the second source.
• Credits and Contributors: The development of the game is attributed to Shaun Quek, Loo Kang Wee, Francisco Esquembre, and Félix Jesús Garcia Clemente, based on an idea by Theresa Heng. This highlights the collaborative nature of the project.
• Availability and Versions: A link to the game is provided: "The link to the game can be found here ." and a specific version is listed: "1. https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/math/ejss_model_knight_star_to_star/". This suggests potential updates or iterations of the game.
• Part of a Larger Collection: The game is listed among a wide array of other interactive simulations and applets covering various subjects, primarily science and mathematics. This suggests a broader ecosystem of educational tools developed by the same group. The extensive list provides context for the type of interactive learning resources being created and shared.

3. Key Quotes:

• "In this version, the knight can only land on the squares demarcated with a star, with the knight only being able to land on each star once." (From "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star HTML5 Javascript Applet...")
• "The objective is to obtain the highest score possible." (From "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star HTML5 Javascript Applet...")
• "Through this game, we hope students will actively plan out their route to maximise their score, thereby facilitating their critical judgement." (From "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star HTML5 Javascript Applet...")

4. Conclusion:

The "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star" represents an interesting adaptation of a classic puzzle with a clear educational purpose. By restricting the knight's movement to starred squares and challenging players to maximize their score, the game encourages strategic thinking and critical judgment. Its implementation as an HTML5 Javascript applet within the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore initiative makes it a readily accessible tool for educators looking to engage students in mathematical problem-solving. The project highlights the work of a collaborative team focused on creating interactive learning experiences. Further details about the scoring mechanism and the specific arrangement of stars on the game board would provide a more complete understanding of the game's dynamics and learning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions: Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star

1. What is the "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star"? This is a variation of the classic Knight's Tour puzzle presented as an interactive HTML5 Javascript applet. In this version, the player controls a knight on a chessboard-like grid. The key difference is that the knight can only move to squares marked with a star. Each star square can be landed on only once per game.

2. What is the objective of this game? The primary objective of the "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star" is to achieve the highest possible score. This is done by strategically planning a sequence of valid knight moves that land on as many star squares as possible without revisiting any of them.

3. How does this game relate to the traditional Knight's Tour? Like the traditional Knight's Tour, this game involves moving a knight in an "L" shape (two squares in one of the four cardinal directions, then one square perpendicularly). However, the "Star to Star" variation introduces the constraint that moves are only permitted onto pre-designated star squares, and each star can be visited only once. This adds a layer of complexity focused on path optimization within a limited set of target squares.

4. What are the intended learning outcomes of playing this game? The developers hope that through playing this game, students will actively engage in strategic planning and critical thinking. By needing to map out a route to maximize their score under the given constraints, players can develop and enhance their critical judgment and problem-solving skills. It subtly encourages mathematical thinking related to spatial reasoning and combinatorics.

5. Who created this game and under what license is it released? This game was created by Shaun Quek, Loo Kang Wee, Francisco Esquembre, and Félix Jesús Garcia Clemente, based on an idea by Theresa Heng. It was compiled using EJS 6.1 BETA (201115) and is released under a specific license (likely a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license as mentioned elsewhere on the site, though the exact license for the game itself isn't explicitly stated in the provided excerpts). The EasyJavaScriptSimulations library used in its creation has a separate commercial use license requiring direct contact.

6. Where can I play or embed this game? The game can be accessed and played at the provided link: https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/math/ejss_model_knight_star_to_star/. Additionally, the game can be embedded into other webpages using the provided iframe code.

7. Is this game part of a larger educational resource? Yes, this "Knight's Tour Game - Star to Star" is part of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project. This platform aims to provide a variety of interactive simulations and games for learning, particularly in mathematics and science. It appears to be inspired by and connected to efforts to boost math proficiency and explore interactive learning tools.

8. Who might find this game useful? This game is likely to be useful for students learning about strategic thinking, problem-solving, and potentially spatial reasoning related to the knight's movements in chess. Teachers might find it a valuable tool to engage students in actively planning and developing their critical judgment in a fun and interactive way. The "Sample Learning Goals" section (though not explicitly detailed in the excerpts) would likely provide further insight into specific educational contexts where this game could be beneficial.