X4 Torus Aeternal Switch Puzzle

How the Puzzle Works

The X4 Torus Aeternal Switch Puzzle is a logic challenge with 8 switches. Each switch can be ON (green) or OFF (red), and can be either locked or unlocked. Your goal is to turn all 8 switches ON at the same time.

Switches, Locks, and the Three-Phase Move

• Each switch is numbered 1 to 8. ON = green, OFF = red.
• Some switches may be locked. You can only press switches that are unlocked.
• When you press an unlocked switch, a three-phase process happens:
  1. Reset Phase: All locks are cleared. Every switch becomes unlocked.
  2. Flip Phase: The switch you pressed, and certain other switches connected to it, will toggle their ON/OFF state. (If ON, they turn OFF; if OFF, they turn ON.)
  3. Re-lock Phase: The puzzle alternates between two lock modes:
     • Mode 1: Switches 1, 2, and 3 are unlocked; switches 6, 7, and 8 are locked.
     • Mode 2: Switches 1, 2, and 3 are locked; switches 6, 7, and 8 are unlocked.
     After every move, the lock mode toggles. If you were in Mode 1, you switch to Mode 2, and vice versa.

Switch Connections: What Gets Flipped?

When you press a switch, it always flips itself. It may also flip other switches, depending on its connections. Here is the map:

• Press Switch 1: Flips itself and Switch 2
• Press Switch 2: Flips itself, Switch 1, and Switch 3
• Press Switch 3: Flips itself and Switch 4
• Press Switch 4: Flips itself and Switch 5
• Press Switch 5: Flips itself and Switch 4
• Press Switch 6: Flips itself and Switch 5
• Press Switch 7: Flips itself and Switch 8
• Press Switch 8: Flips itself, Switch 6, and Switch 7

This means pressing a switch can have a chain reaction, toggling multiple switches at once.

How to Play and Win

• You can only press switches that are currently unlocked (not locked).
• After every move, the lock mode alternates, restricting which switches you can press next.
• Your mission: Find a sequence of moves that turns all 8 switches ON at the same time.

Strategy and Tips

• Plan for the Lock Alternation: After every move, the set of switches you can press changes. If you just pressed a switch while switches 1-3 were unlocked, now only switches 6-8 will be unlocked (and vice versa). This means you often need to alternate between the two groups to make progress.
• Understand the Connections: Pressing a switch can flip itself and its neighbors. For example, pressing Switch 2 flips Switches 1, 2, and 3. Use this to your advantage to flip multiple switches at once.
• Think Ahead: Because of the lock alternation and the chain reactions, you need to plan several moves ahead. Sometimes you may need to "set up" the board by flipping switches in one group so you can finish with the other group.
• Look for Patterns: Try to notice which switches affect which others, and how the lock mode changes your available options. Sometimes, flipping a switch may undo progress if you aren't careful.
• Don't Give Up: The puzzle is designed to be tricky! If you get stuck, try to reset and experiment with different starting moves.

The goal: All 8 switches ON (green) at the same time. Good luck!