SINCE  THE APPEARANCE  of the  first Scientific American Bookof Mathematical Puzzles  & Diversions, in 1959, popular  in-terest in recreational mathematics has continued  to increase.Many new puzzle  books have  been printed,  old  puzzle  booksreprinted,  kits  of  recreational  math  materials  are  on  themarket, a new topological game  (see Chapter 7) has caughtthe fancy of the country's youngsters,  and  an excellent  littlemagazine  called  Recreational Mathematics  has been  startedby  Joseph Madachy, a research chemist in  Idaho Falls. Chess-men  -  those  intellectual  status  symbols -  are  jumping  allover  the place,  from  TV  commercials  and  magazine adver-tisements to A1 Horozoitz's  lively chess corner in The Satur-day Review  and  the knight  on Paladin's  holster and  have-gun-will-travel card.