in python, "mine" is the hard way. Compare to lechevalier's solution, if you wanna see the "easy way" in art-mode. ;)

Thanks! Then I realized that I'm on the hard way and couldn't finish it tonight.
So I take one step back and solved it in easy (but slow) way.
It took a little longer than yours, but I'm glad it finally passed TLE.
That's a good problem

reset the trainer AND reload the page. ;) (it worked on my side)

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "main.py", line 33, in
runTest(name, break_evil_pieces(shape), expected)
TypeError: runTest() takes at least 4 arguments (3 given)

ok, that's good, now. But you'll have to reload the page, actually.

and now? (EDIT: don't forget to reset the trainer)

EDIT: syntax error, wait... :/

woops, my fault... x) Wait a sec.

Thanks, met another issue (damn, if it get passed I won't see such error T.T)

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "main.py", line 200, in
runTest(name, break_evil_pieces(shape), expected)
File "/home/codewarrior/setup.py", line 33, in runTest
print(" \n\n FAILED TEST !!!\n\nshape:\n{}\n\nExpected:".format(formatStr(shape)) )
NameError: global name 'shape' is not defined

Should be good, now. Note that only the sample tests were broken (normally... ;o )

Thank you for your quick response. I have make my "new way" passed the original puzzle. Hoping it can get passed as soon as the issue resolved:)

related to the last change in the runner, I guess. I'll keep you posted.

Sorry, I didn't see your message before. Yes, your approach is the good one. So a problem in your code only.

Test breaks in python.
Tried all three versions with default "code template" and got following error:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "main.py", line 33, in
runTest(name, shape, expected)
File "/home/codewarrior/setup.py", line 29, in runTest
ans = sorted(break_evil_pieces(shape))
NameError: name 'break_evil_pieces' is not defined

Well done! Thanks for your nice solution and your rank&vote ;-)

OK, I modified the test cases to be less strict. Can you check whether the new tests pass your original solution?