Beginner
A 9×9 board with 10 mines for quick, readable openings.
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Overview 
Minesweeper
1 player · 2-10 min per session
Clear every safe tile without detonating a mine.
PuzzleStrategy
Goal & Core Rules
Clear every safe tile without detonating a mine.
- Revealing a tile shows a number: how many mines are in the 8 surrounding tiles.
- Use the numbers to deduce where mines must be, and flag them.
- Revealing a mine ends the game immediately.
- The first reveal is always safe, and a tile with 0 adjacent mines auto-expands nearby safe tiles.
Intermediate
A 16×16 board with 40 mines where pattern reading matters more.
Expert
A 30×16 board with 99 mines that rewards fast scanning and careful scroll/zoom use.
Controls
Mouse
- Left click: reveal tile
- Right click: toggle flag
- Click an already revealed number: chord reveal when flags match
- Top menu: new game / help
Touch
- Tap: reveal tile
- Long-press: toggle flag
- Tap a revealed number again: chord reveal
- Bottom/right tool panel: flag mode, zoom in/out, reset zoom
- Pinch zoom + scroll: move around larger boards
Beginner Tips
- Start near edges/corners to simplify early deductions.
- Flag only when you’re sure—opening more safe tiles often gives better information.
- Prioritize areas that will reveal new numbers (more information) over low-info clicks.
Advanced Tips
- Learn common patterns (e.g., 1-2-1) to identify forced mines/safe tiles quickly.
- When logic runs out, choose moves that maximize future information gain.
- In true 50/50 situations, pick the lower-risk side based on remaining mines and space.
Origins & History
The familiar computer Minesweeper was popularized on Microsoft platforms—originating on OS/2 and spreading widely after being bundled with Windows.
Timeline
- 1990 Released with Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1.
- 1992 Bundled with Windows 3.1, helping it reach a massive audience.
Notable People
- Curt Johnson Created an early OS/2 version
- Robert Donner Ported it to Windows / helped ship it
Trivia
- Some localized Windows releases replaced mines with flowers and renamed the game “Flower Field.”
FAQ
Do I have to flag every mine to win?
No. This implementation clears the game when every safe tile is revealed.
Is the first click always safe?
Yes. The first chosen tile and its surrounding 8 tiles are kept clear of mines.
What should I practice first?
Reading number clusters after a 0-expansion, plus memorizing a few common forced patterns.