Overview

Match-3

1 player · 1-10 min per session

Reach the target score by matching three or more adjacent gems. In move-limited modes, you must hit the target before you run out of moves.

Players: 1P Session length: 1-10 min

PuzzleMatching

Goal & Core Rules

Reach the target score by matching three or more adjacent gems. In move-limited modes, you must hit the target before you run out of moves.

Select a gem and tap an adjacent gem, or swipe one cell in the direction you want to swap.
A swap is valid only if it immediately creates a horizontal or vertical match of 3+; otherwise it snaps back.
Matched gems disappear, pieces above fall down, and new gems fill in from the top. Extra matches continue as cascades.
Easy through Expert use move limits, while Relaxed removes the move cap.

Easy

7×7 board, 5 gem colors, and 40 moves to reach 800 points.

Normal

8×8 board, 6 gem colors, and 32 moves to reach 1500 points.

Hard

8×8 board, 6 gem colors, and only 26 moves for a tighter score race.

Expert

9×9 board, 7 gem colors, and 20 moves for the toughest score management.

Relaxed

8×8 board, 5 gem colors, and unlimited moves for low-pressure cascade practice.

Controls

Mouse

Click: select a gem
Click an adjacent gem: swap with the current selection
Top menu: new game / restart / help

Keyboard

Keyboard controls are not implemented in the current build.

Touch

Tap: select a gem
Tap an adjacent gem or swipe one cell: swap gems
Top menu: new game / restart / help

Beginner Tips

Make matches near the bottom to trigger longer cascades.
Try to leave two almost-complete lines on the board so your next move has better follow-ups.
In move-limited modes, prefer swaps that open future cascades over tiny immediate scores.

Advanced Tips

Prioritize central swaps that improve both a row and a column at the same time.
Opening the middle of the board usually creates better fall paths than focusing only on edges.
Use Relaxed to practice long cascades and Expert to practice short score calculations under pressure.

Origins & History

Match-3 is a subgenre of tile-matching puzzle games where players swap pieces to form groups of three. Wikipedia notes that PopCap’s Bejeweled began as a browser game (originally titled ‘Diamond Mine’) in 2000 and is credited with popularizing match-three games; later hits such as Candy Crush Saga (released in 2012) brought the format to a massive mobile audience.

Timeline

2000 Bejeweled begins as the browser game ‘Diamond Mine’ and is released under the Bejeweled name (PopCap).
2012 Candy Crush Saga launches on Facebook (Apr 12, 2012), helping popularize match-3 on mobile and social platforms.

Sources

FAQ

What makes a swap ‘valid’?

Typically, the swap must immediately create a match of 3 or more in a line; otherwise the tiles swap back.

Why do matches at the bottom feel stronger?

Clearing low tiles causes more pieces to fall, increasing the chance of cascades.

How do I improve quickly?

Start by spotting bottom-board matches and reading one move ahead for likely cascades.