Sword in the Stone Solution

Stuck on the Sword in the Stone? This one is a blind puzzle, meaning you can't see the mechanism you're solving. The full eighteen-step solution is below, along with the labeled diagram you'll need to follow it.

Spoiler warning. Complete solution ahead. If you'd rather keep working at it, the objective is simply this: remove the sword from the base block. The sword's teeth must line up with the gaps inside the block, one step at a time.

Before you start: read the diagram

Every step below refers to a label on this diagram, so keep it in view as you work.

  • L2 through L10 and R1 through R11 are the teeth along the sword's blade. L labels are on the left side, R labels on the right.
  • D1, D3, D6, D9 and D11 are the gaps inside the base block, shown in the lower image looking down into the block.
  • "Turn L2 clockwise to D9" means rotate the sword until tooth L2 aligns with gap D9.
Sword in the Stone puzzle solution diagram showing sword teeth labeled L2 through L10 and R1 through R11, and base block gaps labeled D1, D3, D6, D9 and D11

The solution, step by step

Object: remove the sword from the base block.

  1. With the sword starting completely inside of the base block, rotate the sword so that the "tooth" marked R1 lines up with the gap in the base block marked D9 and slide the sword up one step.
  2. Turn L2 clockwise to D1 then slide up.
  3. Turn L2 clockwise to D11 then slide down.
  4. Turn L2 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  5. Turn R3 counterclockwise to D3 then slide up.
  6. Turn L2 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  7. Turn R5 clockwise to D1 then slide up.
  8. Turn R5 clockwise to D11 then slide down.
  9. Turn R5 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  10. Turn L6 clockwise to D1 then slide up.
  11. Turn L6 clockwise to D11 then slide down.
  12. Turn L6 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  13. Turn R7 counterclockwise to D3 then slide up.
  14. Turn L8 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  15. Turn R9 clockwise to D1 then slide up.
  16. Turn R9 clockwise to D11 then slide down.
  17. Turn R9 clockwise to D9 then slide up.
  18. Turn L10 clockwise to D1 then slide off.

To put it back: reverse these steps to return the sword into the base block.

Tips

  • Go slowly. Because you can't see inside the block, the puzzle rewards feel over force. If a slide won't move, the tooth isn't aligned yet.
  • Never force it. The sword should slide freely once a tooth clears its gap.
  • Losing your place is normal. Slide the sword fully back into the block and start again from step one.

Prefer a printable version?

Download the Sword in the Stone solution sheet (PDF)

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Sword in the Stone - Blind Twist and Turn Puzzle

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