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NOV
24
#79

A Couple of Wine Glasses

Two wine glasses are created, one of which is upside-down. Move 3 matchsticks to get three wine glasses. __________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

NOV
23
#78

The Lobster

Move 3 matchsticks to make the lobster heading into the opposite direction.

NOV
22
#77

9 Squares to 5

You can count nine squares in this arrangement - 7 small ones and 2 bigger ones. Move 3 matchsticks to end up with only 5 identical squares.

NOV
21
#76

Paper Boat

Remove 3 matchsticks to end up with 3 triangles.

NOV
20
#75

2 Big Triangles to 5 Small Ones

Move 4 matchsticks to get five IDENTICAL equilateral triangles. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk

NOV
19
#74

2 C's to 2 Triangles

Move 2 matchsticks to create 2 identical triangles. No loose matchsticks should remain.

NOV
18
#73

Paper Boat to Triangles

Move 4 matchsticks to convert this paper boat into 8 triangles. Overlapping is allowed.

NOV
17
#72

The TEN

Take away 6 matchsticks from the fifteen arranged here to leave ten.

NOV
16
#71

100M

Move 2 matchsticks to reduce the distance as much as possible.

NOV
15
#70

The Sand Timer

Move 4 matchsticks to turn this sand timer upside-down, i.e. its shape must be preserved. ____________ *by Nob Yoshigahara

NOV
14
#69

9 to 5 - Identical Triangles

Remove 4 matchsticks so that only 5 IDENTICAL triangles remain. No loose matchsticks should remain.

NOV
13
#68

Hat to Two Squares

Move 2 matchsticks to get two squares out of this shape.

NOV
12
#67

Big Spiral

This big spiral is made of 35 matchsticks. Move 4 matchsticks to form 3 squares. No loose matchsticks.

NOV
11
#66

3 Squares from 5

Remove 3 matchsticks so that to leave only three squares here. No loose matchsticks must remain.

NOV
10
#65

The Vanishing Cube

Four cubes can be spotted in this shape. Change the four cubes to three by moving 1 matchstick only. ___________ *By Professor Layton - fictional character

NOV
09
#64

Box to Cabinet

Move 2 matchsticks to convert the Box into a Cabinet.

NOV
08
#63

Hexagram to 6 Diamonds

Move 6 matchsticks to get six equal diamonds.

NOV
07
#62

993

Remove 3 matchsticks to obtain the minimum possible number out of this one.

NOV
06
#61

F-ive Squares to Six

Move 2 matchsticks to get six squares out of these five ones.

NOV
05
#60

Tangled Triangles

Two equilateral triangles are tangled together. Move 3 matchsticks to get four equilateral triangles. _________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

NOV
04
#59

Wine Glasses to a House: V2

Move 5 matchsticks to transform the 2 glasses of wine into a house.

NOV
03
#58

Turn the Fish

Fish is swimming to the left. Move 3 matchsticks to make it swimming to the right. _____________ *by Kobon Fujimura

NOV
02
#57

Wine Glasses to a House

Move 6 matchsticks to get the image of a house out of these two wine glasses. __________ *The puzzle appeared in Bryant & May's "Little Book of Matchstick Puzzles" at the beginning of the 20th century.

NOV
01
#56

The Giraffe

The giraffe is heading to the right. Move 1 matchstick to make the giraffe heading in another direction. ____________ *by Mel Stover

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Puzzles with matchsticks are very popular today among both children and adults. They help a person develop logical thinking and attentiveness. Matchstick logic problem can be very different. Basically, the tasks require you to create some kind of image, number or geometric figure.


Matchstick modeling develops thinking. The main highlight of such problems is that the answer is usually not obvious. Moreover, sometimes at first glance it seems that it is impossible to solve the puzzle at all. It takes at least a few minutes of thinking in your head or with a pencil. Obviously, such exercises are useful for “pumping up” logic and developing spatial thinking in a child.


Matchstick riddles influence the imagination. By imagining what would happen if we move this or that matchstick, we develop the “imagination center” inside our brain. Matchstick puzzles improve short-term memory. This is especially true for those who solve such problems in their head, remembering intermediate results. Spending time solving puzzles encourages attentiveness and perseverance. Last but not least - concentration plays a key part as well.


Challenging yourself to solve a matchstick puzzle in the shortest timespan boosts your self-esteem. And then, challenging yourself to solve a really difficult problem, we feel more confident and stop giving in to difficulties ahead.


Our constantly expanding collection of interactive matchstick puzzles comes in different difficulty levels, making them suitable for both adults and children. You can return to your favorite puzzles many times and share them with friends and dear ones.


How to solve matchstick puzzles? It is clear that in each specific case the approach differs, but there are still general recommendations. The hint is often contained in the problem’s objective itself, so you need to read it very carefully. Analyze whether there is a “double bottom” or a catch in it. Prepare for the fact that the solution is not trivial - otherwise the task would not be called a puzzle. Often you need to move 1 matchstick to get one or another figure or a certain number of figures. Don't forget: several small shapes (for example, squares) can make up a large one. Take your time. Don't focus on getting through the exercise quickly. Consider your options carefully.


As a pleasant bonus, we would like to draw your attention to 7 interesting facts about matchstick production:

- a match that ends up in sea water will decompose within six months;

- the best material for making matches is aspen;

- the first matchboxes were made of metal;

- there are more than 100 types of matches in the world;

- about 30 billion matchboxes are produced annually on the planet;

- on average there are approximately 40 matches in a box. In the 19th century, the number reached 60 pieces;

- it turns out that an ordinary match can save a person from death if he is bitten by a poisonous karakurt spider. To do this, the bite site must be cauterized as quickly as possible, as a result of which the poison will disintegrate and will not pose any threat to the human.