Slitherlink

The Slitherlink puzzle is still published in print (in newspapers and magazines), but the majority of players are familiar with it from digital versions. If previously you had to download and install an application to launch, today the game runs in any browser.

The rules of the puzzle are quite simple, they can be intuitively understood even without reading the description. The playing field, which can have different sizes and proportions, depending on the version of the game, is conventionally divided into squares by dots. Inside some squares there are numbers from “0” to “3”.

The denomination of a number indicates the number of vertical/horizontal lines that need to be drawn around it. Accordingly, not a single line should be drawn around “0”, and “3” should be surrounded by them on three sides.

The goal of the game is to draw all the lines in such a way as to build a solid wall around the numbers. In some variations of the game, polygonal figures, snowflakes, Penrose, Laves and Altair mosaics are used instead of squares. But in this case, we will consider the classic version of 1989 with square cells - the most famous and widespread at the moment.

General rules

In the Slitherlink puzzle, you need to use the method of elimination to win. For example, if the numbers “0” and “3” are located next to each other on the playing field, drawing lines around them becomes obvious. There cannot be lines on the zero side, which means the three is surrounded by them on the remaining three sides. Similar options apply to other combinations of adjacent numbers.

After the formation of the primary contour, which is formed by drawing uncontested lines, you can begin to use the next rule. According to it, the contour must be continuous, with non-intersecting edges. That is, the resulting fragment must always be continued in only one direction - along the shortest path (in a straight line).

To simplify the gameplay, in addition to lines, you can use crosses (×). They are placed on those sides of the numbers from which the lines most likely will not be drawn. Another useful designation is an arc, which is placed between two adjacent lines. It means that only one of them can be filled.

How to solve the puzzle

The ultimate goal of the Slitherlink game is to place lines around each number in the amount corresponding to its value, and connect these lines to each other so that a continuous, non-intersecting contour (wall) is obtained. To achieve this result, follow these simple tips:

• Start the game with the numbers “0”. No lines can be drawn around them (including from adjacent numbers), and these places can be immediately marked with crosses (×).
• After the zeros, move on to the numbers with the highest value—threes. Try to determine on which three sides they are most likely to be surrounded by lines, and mark them as final moves, or as intermediate ones (using an “arc”).
• When all the lines have already been drawn around adjacent numbers, they can be connected in this area into a common outline.

It is also worth noting that Slitherlink is a game that does not tolerate fuss and haste. You need to solve this puzzle slowly, carefully thinking through each move. Ideally, it should be played in silence, in a relaxing and pleasant environment. Then you will get the most out of this puzzle and significantly increase your chances of winning!