Mindgames: Network Games

Think outside the box!

Knot or Not, Petunia's Pickle, Mole City and the Mad Maze of Dr. M

Beginning with the cover game of Put a Spin on It—an ingenious test of thinking about connections—here are 19 fascinating puzzles that flex the mind.

• Take the network challenge and tackle the bridges of K?nigsberg. Arrange a perfect seating plan for a party of friends and strangers. Navigate the cave maze, and use a chess board to attempt the three-hundred-year-old Crossed Knight's Tour problem.
• Bring a pencil, but remember—(1)you don't have to be a whiz to play, because (2) the most important skills you'll need are curiosity and an open mind. (Solutions and explanations are provided, of course!)