Classic Minesweeper
Experience the timeless puzzle game. Test your logic and deduction skills to clear the board without hitting any mines!
Gameplay & Rules
Minesweeper is a single-player puzzle video game. The objective is to clear a rectangular board containing hidden "mines" or bombs without detonating any of them, with help from clues about the number of neighboring mines in each field.
Originating in the 1960s, it became widely popular after being included with Microsoft Windows.
The main goal is simple:
- Clear the board by revealing all the safe squares.
- Avoid revealing any squares that contain mines.
- The game board consists of a grid of squares.
- Some squares randomly contain hidden mines.
- Revealing a safe square shows a number (1-8), indicating how many adjacent squares (horizontally, vertically, diagonally) contain mines.
- Revealing a square with a mine results in losing the game.
Interact with the board using your mouse:
- Left Click: Reveals the content of a square. If it's a mine, you lose. If it's a number, it shows adjacent mines. If it's blank (0), it automatically reveals adjacent safe squares.
- Right Click : Places or removes a flag on a square you suspect contains a mine. Flagged squares cannot be revealed by left-clicking.
- Chord Click (Left + Right): If a revealed number square has the exact same number of flags placed on its adjacent squares, clicking both mouse buttons simultaneously (or middle-clicking) on the number will reveal all other adjacent non-flagged squares. This is a quick way to clear safe areas.
Be careful with Chording – if your flags are wrong, you might reveal a mine!
Difficulty Levels
| Level | Board Size | Mines |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 10 x 10 | 15 |
| Hard | 16 x 16 | 40 |
| Hell | 20 x 20 | 80 |
Choose the challenge that suits you best!
A Brief History
While the concept of logic puzzles involving hidden elements existed before, Minesweeper as we know it gained massive popularity with its inclusion in the Microsoft Windows Entertainment Pack in 1990 and subsequent versions of Windows starting with Windows 3.1.
Its origins can be traced back to earlier games like 'Cube' by Jerimac Ratliff. However, the Microsoft version, programmed by Robert Donner and Curt Johnson, became the standard.
For decades, Minesweeper has been a staple procrastination tool and a test of logical deduction for computer users worldwide, proving the enduring appeal of its simple yet challenging gameplay.
Why Play Minesweeper?
Beyond being a fun distraction, Minesweeper offers several cognitive benefits:
- Logical Reasoning
- Deductive Skills
- Pattern Recognition
- Focus & Concentration
