The Keralite Lady Grand Master
Competition for children

ONCE there lived a king who loved to play chess. He would invite his ministers to play with him but nobody could beat the king.

One day, an old man came to meet the king. He said he could beat the king in chess. “If you can beat me in chess,” said the king, “I will give you whatever you ask for.”

The old man won the game. The king then asked him what he wanted. The old man said he wanted one rupee to be placed in the first square of a chessboard, twice that in the second square, and twice that in the third — and like that till the 64th square. (One rupee in the first square, two rupees in the second square, four rupees in the third square, eight rupees in the fourth square, 16 rupees in the fifth square — and like that till the 64th square.)

1 How many rupees did the king give theold man?

2 How many rupees were placed on the 60th square?

Send your answers (together with your full address) to reach The Keralite Lady before April 15, 2003. (In case of more than one correct entry, the winner will be chosen by drawing lots.)

The Keralite Lady, Post Box 2305,
MG Road, Cochin 682016