K3-style rotation grid applied to K4

K3-style rotation grid (42x8) applied to K4

In plain English: K3-style rotation grid (42x8) applied to K4 — using a method that reads text from a grid in various rotated arrangements. Every possible combination was tested (500 configurations) — none produced a valid solution. This approach is ruled out within the tested scope.

NOISE Tier 2

How to read this record

Verdict – NOISE (no better than random guessing), INTERESTING (slightly above random, almost certainly coincidence), SIGNAL (statistically unusual, warrants investigation), or FULL MATCH (all 24 known letters correct).
Confidence Tier – Tier 1 = mathematical proof (permanent). Tier 2 = every possibility tested. Tier 3 = partially tested. Tier 4 = not yet tested.
Configs Tested – How many different key/parameter combinations were tried.
Best Score – How many of the 24 known plaintext letters the best attempt matched (out of 24).
Keystream Consistency (Bean) – Whether the key values at different positions are mathematically consistent with each other.
Scope Limitations – What this elimination does not rule out.

Configs Tested: 500
Best Score: 3 / 24 known letters matched · no better than random guessing (random guess would score: 0.0)
Keystream Consistency (Bean): FAIL
Checks whether the key values at different positions are mathematically consistent with each other.
Confidence: Tier 2: Exhaustive search under stated assumptions. Does not eliminate multi-layer variants.
Date Tested: 2026-02-18
Script: scripts/exploration/e_bespoke_10_rotation_grid.py

Scope Limitations

This elimination does not rule out:

Only tests grids matching K3's 42x8 rotation method. Does not test arbitrary grid dimensions.

Assumptions

K4 uses the same rotation grid method as K3
Standard reading order

Reproduce

PYTHONPATH=src python3 -u scripts/exploration/e_bespoke_10_rotation_grid.py

Requires the kryptos repo, Python 3.11+, PYTHONPATH=src.

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