Minesweeper Strategy Guide - How to Clear Every Board

Minesweeper Strategy Guide - Clear Every Board

Minesweeper seems like luck, but it's pure logic. This guide teaches you the patterns and techniques to consistently clear boards.

The Basics

Understanding the numbers:

• Each number indicates mines in adjacent squares
• 1 = one mine touches this square
• Numbers range from 1 to 8
• Use logic to deduce safe squares and mine locations

The First Click

Your first click is always safe. Start in a corner or the center - corners have fewer adjacent squares, making early deduction easier.

Essential Patterns

The 1-1 Pattern

When two 1s share an edge, and there are only two uncovered squares touching both, the mine must be in one of those two squares. This means other squares touching just one 1 are safe.

The 1-2 Pattern

A 1 next to a 2 with exactly three shared uncovered squares: the square that only touches the 2 must be a mine.

The 1-2-1 Pattern

Three numbers 1-2-1 in a row with exactly four uncovered squares: the squares on the ends are safe, the middle two contain mines.

Corner Patterns

A corner 1 with only one uncovered neighbor means that neighbor is definitely a mine.

Advanced Techniques

Counting

Count remaining mines. If a number matches exactly the number of uncovered neighbors, all are mines.

The Chord Technique

On desktop, right-click to flag mines. When you've flagged all mines around a number, chord (left+right click) to reveal all other adjacent squares instantly.

Reduction

When two numbers share neighbors, subtract known information. If a 3 touches 5 squares and a neighboring 1 touches 2 of those same squares, the 3 effectively needs 2 mines among its 3 unique squares.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking randomly: Always use logic first
• Flagging too much: Only flag when certain
• Missing patterns: Learn to recognize the common patterns
• Guessing too early: There's usually a logical move available

When You Must Guess

Sometimes guessing is unavoidable. When you must:

• Pick squares with lowest probability of being mines
• Corners and edges are statistically safer
• Squares touching lower numbers are usually safer

Difficulty Tips

Beginner (9x9, 10 mines)

Focus on learning patterns. Most boards can be cleared without guessing.

Intermediate (16x16, 40 mines)

Apply all patterns consistently. Some guessing may be required.

Expert (30x16, 99 mines)

Use advanced techniques. Expect to guess occasionally. Speed comes with pattern recognition.

Ready to sweep some mines? Play Minesweeper now!