THE PLAYBOOK · XINGYUANKC
Know the goal in Minesweeper
Minesweeper gives you a focused activity to play in your browser. Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.
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. Use the example to check your reasoning.
The goal to keep in mind
Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Keep that objective in view throughout the round. Return to the instructions when a step is unclear.
The order of play
- 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.
Your inputs
Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Make sure you are interacting with the game rather than the surrounding page.
An example before you play
A revealed 1 with only one covered neighbour means that neighbour contains a mine. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Choose a deliberate next step.
Avoid this misunderstanding
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. Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board.
Common questions
While learning, 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.
Before I begin, how do I control Minesweeper?
Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices.
As a new player, what example helps explain Minesweeper?
Keep this in mind: A revealed 1 means exactly one neighbouring square contains a mine. The clue counts diagonal neighbours as well as the squares directly beside it.
For a quick reminder, what should I watch out for in Minesweeper?
Keep this in mind: 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?
Here is the relevant explanation: Play using the solo mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For my first round, which play mode does Minesweeper use?
Here is the relevant explanation: The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.