HuaRong 3x3 Sliding Puzzle and Ruler Puzzle Challenge

HuaRong 3x3 Sliding Puzzle and Ruler Puzzle Challenge

Date: 8 Feb 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Venue: Lot 3-003A, 3rd Floor, Endah Parade, Sri Petaling.

Please refer to the video at : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14oJK-hGjuqBq_LLzr-sgg1RhTwFGJnFh

Rules and Regulations for the “8-Puzzle” / “3x3 Huarong Dao / Sliding Puzzle” Event

1) This attempt is to be measured in seconds, to the nearest 0.01 seconds.

2) For the purposes of this attempt, an “8-Puzzle” / “3x3 Huarong Dao / Sliding Puzzle” is defined as a 9-square grid made up of 8 squares with numbers from 1 to 8 on them, which creates a number sequence from number 1 to number 8 counted from left to right and from top to bottom.

3) This attempt is only for one specific starting layout of 8 same-size blocks, and not for all variations of the puzzle (i.e., only numbers are allowed to represent the blocks, and no other forms such as patterns, symbols, pictures etc. are allowed to be used).

4) Prior to the attempt beginning, the “8-Puzzle” / “3x3 Huarong Dao / Sliding Puzzle” must be positioned flat on a surface in front of the challenger (i.e., the table) when the timer begins.

5) When the attempt begins, the challenger may remove their hands from the timer, and begin solving the “8-Puzzle” / “3x3 Huarong Dao / Sliding Puzzle”.

6) The participant is not allowed to remove blocks, and may only slide blocks horizontally and vertically.

7) For the “8-Puzzle” / “3x3 Huarong Dao / Sliding Puzzle” to be deemed solved:

- The top row must be arranged with 1, 2, then 3; second row with 4, 5, then 6; as well as the bottom row with 7 and 8 (all from left to right).

- All pieces must remain within the square grid (i.e., pieces cannot fall outside of the frame after the timer has been stopped).

- It is allowed for pieces to accidentally fall outside of the grid during the solve, as long as the pieces are relocated back within the grid before the timer has been stopped.

- The orientation of the pieces does not matter as long as they belong in the correct position after the timer has been stopped (e.g., accidentally flipped upside down, the numbers facing left / right / front / back etc.).

8) Challengers will be given two attempts to solve the puzzle, and the shortest time from the two attempts will be recorded as th

Rules and Regulations for the “Rubik’s Snake into a Ball” Event

1) This attempt is to be measured in seconds, to the nearest 0.01 seconds.

2) For the purposes of this attempt, a rotating puzzle Snake is defined as a mechanical puzzle made of 24 connected isosceles-triangular-prism wedges, which can be twisted into various shapes.

3) Any commercially available, unmodified, 24-wedge rotating puzzle Snake may be used.

No distinction will be made between different materials. It is up to the challenger to

pick the Rubik's Snake puzzle most suited to complete the attempt.

4) Prior to the attempt beginning, the Rotating puzzle Snake must be un-twisted so that it takes the form of one long 'snake' with smooth edges on all sides.

5) The snake must be positioned flat on a surface in front of the challenger (i.e., the table) when the timer begins.

6) The challenger must have both hands flat on the surface (i.e., on the stackmat timer) before the attempt.

7) When the attempt begins, the challenger may remove their hands from the timer, pick up the puzzle, and begin solving the Rotating puzzle Snake.

8) The wedges must be twisted so that the Rotating puzzle Snake takes the form of a 'ball'. This is the formation the item is commonly packaged in. For any doubts, please seek pre-approval from the judge prior to the attempt.

9) For the ball to be deemed complete, all parts must be folded and connected smoothly - with no parts sticking out. This is at the discretion of STEM CUBE and must be confirmed by the judge.

10) It is not permitted to break the rotating puzzle snake, and should the final resting state of the puzzle post-attempt be broken (e.g., snapped into two pieces etc.), the attempt will be considered as disqualified.

11) Challengers will be given two attempts to solve the puzzle, and the shortest time from

the two attempts will be recorded as the final result.