The Number Puzzle belongs to the Einstein collection from Professor Puzzle, the British publisher of brain teasers and puzzle games. It is a wooden number puzzle made up of a solid board and sixteen numbered tiles. The aim is to place them so that every row, every column and every diagonal adds up to 264.

• BrandProfessor Puzzle
• CollectionThe Einstein Collection
• TypeNumerical logic puzzle
• MaterialWood
• ContentsBoard and 16 reversible tiles
• Age8 and up

How it works

The idea is reminiscent of a magic square, in which every line must add up to the same total, but with a twist of its own: the tiles are reversible and, when turned upside down, some numbers read as different ones. This quirk multiplies the possible combinations and forces you to consider each tile both ways up. The reasoning is similar to a sudoku, although mental arithmetic plays a bigger part here.

Being made of wood, it can be handled, combinations can be tried out on the board and you can start again without pen or paper.

Who it is for

It is designed for solo play, from age 8 to adulthood. It combines simple arithmetic with logic and patience, and tends to appeal to those who enjoy number puzzles. Like the rest of the Einstein collection, it has a carefully finished presentation that makes it suitable as a gift.