TappyPotato logic puzzles

Mechanical & physical puzzles

Burr puzzle — rules and how to start

BURR PUZZLE · Lu Ban lock / Kong Ming lock / Interlock

Notched sticks interlock into a clump; take it apart and rebuild. The snag is all in the mortise-and-tenon interference.

Origin
— · China
Difficulty
★★★★★ 3–5 / 5
Time
15–60 min
Grid
Six sticks
Sites
—

Rules

  1. Usually about six notched sticks interpenetrate and lock.
  2. Goal: fully disassemble, then rebuild from the sticks alone.
  3. No forcing — only the unique (or few) path works.

How to start

Find the one that moves first

One stick has the least interference; test if it slides out.

Note relative positions

Watch each stick's direction and notch facing as you take it apart.

Read the interference

Two sticks coexist only if notches yield; verify pair by pair.

Where players get stuck

  • Forcing it and cracking or jamming the wood.
  • Disassembling without noting order, then no clue to rebuild.

Play Burr puzzle

No dedicated site listed yet

Usually played on the big multi-puzzle sites — try the portals list.

Browse portals →

Related puzzles

Huarong DaoMatchstick puzzleTangram
About this page
  • Last updated 2026-09-22
  • Source Curated compilation of established puzzle rules and listed third-party play sites
  • Audience Players learning Burr puzzle rules or looking for online sites to play
  • Covers Rules summary, how to start, common pitfalls, and the dedicated play sites listed on this page
  • Does not cover Hosted puzzles, worked solutions, official contest rankings, third-party uptime or pricing guarantees
  • Not advice This page is puzzle reference content only. It does not constitute financial, legal, medical or other professional advice.
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