What is the N-Queens problem and how does the algorithm work?

What is the N-Queens problem and how does the algorithm work?

The N-Queens problem is a classic puzzle where you must place N queens on an N×N chessboard so that no two queens threaten each other. This means no two queens can share the same row, column, or diagonal.

How does the algorithm find the solution?

The algorithm typically uses backtracking. It places a queen in a row and recursively attempts to place queens in subsequent rows, backtracking when it finds a conflict.

Can you give me an example of how it works?

Sure! For a 4-Queens problem, the algorithm starts by placing a queen in the first row and then tries to place queens in the next rows, checking for conflicts. If it can't place a queen, it backtracks to the previous row and moves the queen to the next column.

What are some applications of the N-Queens algorithm?

The N-Queens algorithm is used in various fields, including artificial intelligence, optimization problems, and even in teaching recursion and backtracking techniques.