Puzzle Games
How to play Minesweeper
Reveal every non-mine square using neighboring numbers. Flags record your deductions; revealing a mine loses.
What you need
A classic Minesweeper app or browser implementation
Set up the game
- Select a small board and learn reveal/flag controls; touch apps may use long-press.
- Make the opening reveal. Do not assume all implementations guarantee a safe opening or guess-free board.
Playing Minesweeper
- A number counts mines touching it horizontally, vertically or diagonally, up to eight neighbors.
- If its remaining unaccounted mines equal its remaining hidden neighbors, all those neighbors are mines.
- When proved neighboring mines satisfy a number, its other hidden neighbors are safe.
- Repeat across intersecting clues. Flags do not validate themselves or move mines.
- Win by opening every safe square; flagging every mine is normally unnecessary. A mine reveal ends the game.
One proved mine frees two cells
A 1 touches three hidden squares. Initially none is known. Another clue later proves one is a mine. That satisfies the 1, so its other two hidden neighbors are safe. If the first flag had merely been a guess, applying that same shortcut could reveal a mine.
When a board requires a choice
Some random boards admit multiple mine arrangements consistent with all visible clues. Scan another frontier and check the remaining total before guessing; unopened territory can also contain mines. If forced guesses are frustrating, choose an implementation explicitly offering no-guess generation rather than assuming every loss proves you missed a deduction.
Beginner decisions
- Recheck all eight neighbors after nearby cells open.
- Separate proved mines from guesses; an assumed flag can spoil later deductions.
Common rule mix-ups
- Ignoring diagonal neighbors.
- Chording when flag count matches without verifying those flags.
Questions about this game
What is a blank?
Zero neighboring mines; classic versions usually open a safe region automatically.
Does the counter confirm flags?
No. It generally subtracts flag count without checking accuracy.
Sources and edition notes
Classic rectangular Minesweeper. First-click protection, chording and no-guess generation depend on the implementation.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
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