THE PLAYBOOK · GZCKKS
Minesweeper: instructions and practice
Try Minesweeper at your own pace and keep its objective in view. Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Compare the starting position with the example in the Guide. Look at what changes after your first action.
Bring this focus to a round
Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Make the next step deliberately.
Your objective
Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Read that aim before choosing your first action. Check the rules when you are unsure.
How a round unfolds
- Open a covered square to reveal it.
- A number counts mines in the surrounding eight positions.
- Right-click to flag on a computer, or enable Flag mode on a phone.
- Use safe deductions to open the remaining cells.
Getting comfortable with the controls
Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices. Use the control method described here for this activity. Read the example below alongside these instructions.
See how the rules apply
A revealed 1 means exactly one neighbouring square contains a mine. The clue counts diagonal neighbours as well as the squares directly beside it. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Take a moment to compare.
Where a round can go wrong
A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square. A different version of the game may use a different rule. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.
Answers about the rules and controls
As a new player, what is the goal of Minesweeper?
Here is the relevant explanation: Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells.
While learning, how do I control Minesweeper?
Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices.
For my first round, what example helps explain Minesweeper?
A revealed 1 means exactly one neighbouring square contains a mine. The clue counts diagonal neighbours as well as the squares directly beside it.
Before I begin, what should I watch out for in Minesweeper?
The key detail is this: A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square.
For this browser game, what format does Minesweeper offer?
The key detail is this: Play using the solo mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
Before I begin, which play mode does Minesweeper use?
The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.
