Naughts and Crosses

by Kevin J. Lin

Here we have two simple puzzles involving the layout of naughts and crosses, or tic-tac-toe. Can you solve them both?

Puzzle 1

How many X's or "crosses" can be placed on a standard tic-tac-toe grid without winning? Assume that in the case of this puzzle, the "naught" player does not get a turn (no pun in tended).

Puzzle 2

What is the fewest number of lines needed to connect all nine dots in the image to the left, without lifting your pencil, or folding your monitor (not recommended)?

See the Solution