How to Solve a Sliding Puzzle
Every sliding puzzle on PuzzleCraft can be solved, and the same simple method works for every size. Solve one row, then one column, and the puzzle keeps getting smaller.
1. Solve the top row
Place the tiles of the top row one at a time, left to right. Bring each tile to its spot by moving the gap around it, not by pushing the tile directly.
2. The last two tiles of a row
The last two tiles of a row are the tricky part. Park the last tile in the corner first, put the second-to-last tile right below it, then slide both into place together.
3. Solve the left column
With the top row locked, solve the left column the same way, top to bottom. The last two tiles of the column use the same trick, turned sideways.
4. Repeat on the smaller puzzle
Now you have a smaller puzzle. A 5×5 becomes a 4×4, then a 3×3. Keep solving the top row, then the left column, without touching what's finished.
5. Finish the last corner
The final 2×2 corner has only three tiles. Rotate them around the gap until they drop into place.
Tips
- Move the gap, not the tile. Think about where the empty space needs to go next.
- Never break a finished row to fix a later one, except for the two-tile trick above.
- Use Peek to check the picture, and turn on Numbers for picture puzzles if you get lost.
- Hints follow this same method: they tell you which area to work on, show the next tile, then the next three moves, then finish the area for you.