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Official Minesweeper Rules

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Minesweeper is a classic single-player puzzle game where you strategically uncover squares on a grid to find hidden mines without detonating any. Here's how to play:

Objective:  Reveal all the non-mined squares on the board while correctly flagging all the mined squares.

Components:

  • A square grid (board) with hidden mines randomly placed in some squares. The size of the grid can vary, with beginner levels typically having fewer squares and mines.

  • Numbers displayed on some squares. These numbers indicate the total number of mines hidden in the eight squares surrounding that particular square (including diagonally).

Gameplay:

The game starts with the entire grid covered. You use your mouse (or touchscreen) to uncover squares:

  • Left Click: Clicking a square with the left mouse button reveals that square. If it's empty, a number will be displayed, indicating the number of mines surrounding it. If it's a mine, you lose the game.

    • Windows Minesweeper (the classic version on many computers) will always make your first left-click a safe square, so you can't lose on the very first move.

  • Right Click (Flagging): Clicking a square with the right mouse button places a flag on it. This indicates that you suspect there's a mine in that square. You can right-click again to remove the flag.

Using Logic:

The key to Minesweeper is using the numbers displayed on the revealed squares to deduce the location of mines in the surrounding squares. Here's how:

  • Safe Squares: If the number on a revealed square matches the number of flags you've already placed on surrounding squares, all the remaining squares around it must be safe. You can then left-click them to reveal them safely.

  • Logic Deduction:  By analyzing the numbers and strategically placing flags, you can gradually narrow down the location of mines and safely reveal more squares.

Winning the Game:

You win the game if you successfully reveal all the non-mined squares on the board while also having a flag on every single mine.

Additional Notes:

  • Difficulty Levels:  Most Minesweeper versions offer different difficulty levels, typically varying the size of the grid and the number of mines hidden.

  • Double-Clicking (Optional):  Some versions allow you to left-click and hold, then release on a safe square to automatically reveal all the surrounding squares that are guaranteed to be safe based on the number displayed on the clicked square.

  • Challenge and Fun:  Minesweeper provides a fun mental challenge that requires strategic thinking and logical deduction. It's a great way to test your problem-solving skills and keep your mind sharp.

So, if you're looking for a brain-teasing puzzle game, fire up Minesweeper and see if you can uncover all the safe squares without getting blown up!

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