Black Box is the scientific term for an object with an unknown mode of operation, but which produces observable effects when stimulated in some way. By studing these effects it is sometimes possible to deduce the internal operation of the black box.
In the game Black Box one player secretly places a number of 'atoms' in the cells of a grid to form a 'molecule'. The other player (the scientist) selects and marks positions at the edge of the board from which he shoots 'rays' into the box (the game board), and is told where they emerge, or if they do not emerge at all, that is, are 'absorbed'. Knowing how individual atoms affect a ray, he tries to deduce all the cells containing atoms. Of course, a ray might encounter more than one atom or, perhaps, none at all.
Black Box + comprises the original game, often described as a classic amongst logic games, and the new hexagonal version which has a larger range of ray effects and is more exciting and demanding.
How to Play
One player (the problem setter) decides where to place the atoms, 4 or 5 in the original game, 5 or 6 in the new version, and secretly marks these on his record sheet.
The other player (the scientist) selects one of the numbered positions at the side of the board from which a ray will be dispatched, and places a marker there. The problem setter refers to his record sheet and carefully traces the path that the ray will take.
If it emerges from the Black Box he places a matching ray marker at the exit position. If it does not emerge he simply says 'Absorbed' in which case a single black ray marker is used. A ray may also be reflected back to its input position in which case a single white ray marker is used. The scientist continues to select new rays until he is satisfied that he has deduced the position of all atoms, which he marks with the red balls.
The scientist's score is the number of ray markers used. The players then exchange roles so that both receive a score, and the player with the lower score is the winner.
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