Problem

Source: 2020 Dutch IMO TST 1.3

Tags: combinatorics, Tiling, tiles



For a positive integer $n$, we consider an $n \times n$ board and tiles with dimensions $1 \times 1, 1 \times 2, ..., 1 \times n$. In how many ways exactly can $\frac12 n (n + 1)$ cells of the board are colored red, so that the red squares can all be covered by placing the $n$ tiles all horizontally, but also by placing all $n$ tiles vertically? Two colorings that are not identical, but by rotation or reflection from the board into each other count as different.