Rules & objective
Join neighboring equal numbers and reach your difficulty’s target.
- A chain needs at least two equal numbers connected horizontally or vertically. Diagonal connections are not allowed.
- Merge chain, or tap the chain’s last square again, to increase that endpoint from n to n + 1. Other selected positions refill with new numbers.
- The merge adds the new endpoint value multiplied by the chain length to your score. Longer chains score more but still raise the endpoint by only one.
Key terms
- Chain
- A selected path of equal neighboring numbers.
- Endpoint
- The final selected square where the increased number remains.
- Rescue shuffle
- A limited rearrangement of the current board’s values.
Difficulty levels
| Level | What changes |
|---|---|
| Easy | Reach 6. Smaller starting numbers and five rescue shuffles. |
| Medium | Reach 8 with three rescue shuffles. |
| Hard | Reach 10. More starting values and just one rescue shuffle. |
Changing difficulty starts a fresh round. Personal bests are tracked separately.
This version on puzzle free online
Targets are 6, 8 and 10 on Easy, Medium and Hard, with 5, 3 and 1 shuffles respectively. If no matching neighbors remain, use an available shuffle. No connections and no shuffles ends the round.
Common questions
Does a chain of three 2s make 6?
No. It leaves a 3 at the endpoint and earns 3 × 3 = 9 points. The rule is an increment, not a sum.
Can I revise a selected path?
Yes. Tap an earlier selected square to shorten it, or choose Clear selection before merging.
Keep exploring
Put the rules into practice.
Use the companion guide for a worked example, strategy and a small practice challenge.
Read the Number Chain guide ↗Browse all wiki articles