[HMM IV TOURNAMENT OFF] "New World: The Mystery of the Red Cube"

Yeah, thanks. So, Psixxx's suggestion would still improve the situation somewhat. It would be nice if someone could explain what the stated experiment was all about.

Is this before opening the cube or when you approach the sign and the game ends?

You're mistaken, the cube is opened on the 25th day :) There are 18 moves left when the bird is at point 156,164 - right next to the target. But I think you and K510i, with 3-4 moves, should be very surprised, because the map is designed for exactly 26 days, and the victory should occur on the last move. It's a different matter that this precise calculation is made for incorrect actions. What to consider a "straight" move and what to consider a "diagonal" move with Heroes' diagonal coordinates is a complete mess. It's easier to call moves "short" and "long". Long is equal to 1.5 short. Not 1.4142, not 1.45 (and I've seen such a statement), but exactly 1.5 - one and a half. The gargoyle's base movement is 29, the terrain penalty is 1.25, 29/1.25 = 23.2. Looking closely at the movements, we see that it can actually move 23.5 steps per day, in this case, 23.2 is rounded up. If you trust the Heroes' route planner, most daily moves will be straight, consisting of moves of the same value - either 1 or 1.5. So, the gargoyle will move either 23*1 = 23, or 15*1.5 = 22.5 moves, and the remainder is simply lost. And the whole remaining task is not to waste time. Go either (22*1 + 1.5) = 23.5, or (15*1.5 + 1) = 23.5. Of course, you need to calculate not only the current day, but also a little ahead, so that a crooked move at the end of the day is in the right direction.

[...] - this is my map, and no one will complete this map faster than me, they can only tie.

If you count in full days, then I agree :D That's why I didn't play it.