Logic, analysis, and problem-solving—these three subjects have become the most important skills in today’s rapidly changing world. And these very skills are put to the test in a unique international competition—the International Logic Olympiad (ILO). Now in its second year, the Olympiad has already become a prestigious global stage for logic enthusiasts.
A Grand Battle of Logic: A Spectacular Event at Stanford University
At the beginning of July, 36 talented teenagers, selected from over 2,000 schools across more than 90 countries, gathered at Stanford University to compete. Chosen from among 4,000 contestants, these finalists faced off in a thrilling competition divided into three rounds, putting their logic to the ultimate test.
The final round took place in the picturesque hills of Palo Alto, California. There, participants formed teams of two to four and challenged each other by solving logic puzzles and mathematical games.
‘Goblin Tribe’: Friendship and Preparation for the Win
This year’s winners are—Luke Song, Jixuan Yin, Kingston Zhang, and Max Yang. Unimpressed by the name “Team I,” they jokingly began calling themselves “Team Goblin Tribe,” inspired by a video skit. According to them, the keys to their success were long-standing friendships and dedicated team preparation. Luke Song explained, “We’ve known each other for many years and have practiced problem-solving together. That’s the real strength behind our success.”
The Importance of Logic: From Medicine to Politics
The driving force behind this competition is Stanford computer scientist and logician Dr. Michael Genesereth. The competition is a joint initiative between the university and the nonprofit organization Luminous. Dr. Genesereth says, “We use logic in every aspect of life—doctors for diagnosis, lawyers in the courtroom, and even in our everyday decision-making.”
He adds, “Logic is not just about mathematical formulas or algebra, but a framework of thinking that is essential to facing the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
Politics by Logic, Not Just Math!
Team member Zhang shares that although math or computer science are not his strongest suits, he hopes to contribute to policy-making and politics in the future by solving logical problems. He says, “These kinds of problems help us develop creative thinking and analytical skills, which will come in handy for making decisions down the road.”
The Beauty of Collaborative Thinking
Highlighting a special team moment, Jixuan Yin recalls solving a puzzle called ‘Nations,’ where he first disproved another teammate’s proposed solution and presented the correct one. That teammate said, “I’m so lucky to have you on our team!” Yin explains, “These logic-based challenges make our friendship even stronger.”
A Few Challenges for Readers
Can you yourself tackle these logic challenges? Let’s take a look at some selected puzzles from the competition.
Puzzle 1: The Voting Puzzle
Four students (1, 2, 3, 4) want to elect a leader for the review session from among themselves. Each votes “yes” or “no” for themselves and the others. Several logical constraints are provided (for example: if person 1 votes for 2, then 3 did not vote for himself, etc.). Based on these conditions, you must fill out a table—who voted for whom, who didn’t, and which information is undetermined.
🔍 Tip: To evaluate “if A then B” statements, remember that if A is false, the entire statement is considered true. You’ll need to apply this logic rule here.
Puzzle 2: The Quiz Question Puzzle
You’re given questions 1 through 4, and each answer depends on answers to other questions. However, every question is interdependent! Can you figure out which answer goes to which question?
For example—
1. What is the answer to question 2?
2. What is the answer to question 3?
3. What is the answer to question 4?
4. What is the answer to question 1?
To find the correct sequence, you’ll need to consider the entire system at once—one wrong assumption can ruin the whole solution!
Puzzle 3: Safe Locker Combinations
A safe is opened using four switches, each of which can be either 1 or 0. However, the twist is that only the correct positions of two of the switches will unlock the safe—but you don’t know which two.
The question: What is the minimum number of combinations you need to try to guarantee you’ll find the right one?
🔍 Think in terms of the “set covering” method—how do you cover all possible pairs of unknown positions?
Puzzle 4: The Nations Game
This puzzle involves two kinds of countries: strong and weak. Only weak countries can be attacked, and only strong countries can attack. However, after a strong country conquers a weak one, it becomes weak itself and can then be attacked for a while.
Currently, there are 5 strong countries and 1 weak country.
Question: Will this weak country get attacked?
🔍 Advice: First think with a model of 1 strong and 1 weak country, and then gradually expand it step by step. This approach is called “mathematical induction.”
Puzzle 5: Sudoku Against the Clock
The ILO competition also included a Sudoku puzzle. But unlike the usual game, there was a strict time limit and no software was allowed—it had to be solved by hand, using only pencil and paper!
The Future Path of Logic
Logic is not just a subject for exams. It’s a framework for thinking. Even with advances in artificial intelligence, solving problems with human logic remains essential. Without understanding this properly, we won’t find effective solutions to future challenges.
For students in Bangladesh, such Olympiads could open new doors. For those interested in computer science, mathematics, even politics or environmental science, practicing logic means preparing for the future.
To encourage youth in logical, analytical, and creative thinking, it’s high time to start competitions like these at school, college, and university levels. Logic is not just a subject—it’s a tool for intelligence, collaboration, and building the future.
✨ Interested? Then start your own logic club, or organize an Olympiad at your school with your friends. Who knows—one day you or your students might be among the global winners!
📢 Sources: This report was inspired by the article “How Logical Are You?” published in Scientific American magazine.
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