Hi Ivan
That question looks very familiar!!
I presume the question boils down to the last elements of the new column : is that legal?
Given the moves are not measured individually, there doesn't seem to be anything that prevents the two elements popping out the back of the new column. Unless I'm missing something?
Let's assume for the moment the final position of the last 2 elements is
not legal, are there any other options available to the last 2 elements?
From the rules on p29:
Until a contracting group is entirely in column, each of its elements must end facing the same direction as and in both edge and corner-to-corner contact with another element of the original group.
This sentence would suggest that even if the position of the last 2 elements is not correct, that they are actually facing the correct way, but just in the wrong position. And maybe they should line up on the right flank of the new column (unsupportable - see below).
However, this rule:
Elements of the group not yet in the column can move only sideways
would suggest the 2 end elements could not simply line up on the flank of the column, given they could only slide sideways - which if they did then they are no longer part of the group. How then do the last 2 elements get into the group?
Is there an option for a 'kinked' column and the 2 left-most elements of the group simply stay where they are?
Or is the final position actually ok? Interesting question........
Cheers
Andrew