We've all tried to solve problems with moving matches sometime. Remember those? Simple, visual and quite interesting. We invite you to remember how it is done and solve these 10 exciting tasks. There will be no examples and math here, you can try to think about them with your children. An answer is attached to each riddle. Here we go? 😉
1. Expand the fish
Exercise. Rearrange the three matches so that the fish swims in the opposite direction. In other words, you need to rotate the fish 180 degrees horizontally.
Answer. To solve the problem, it is necessary to move the matches, which make up the lower part of the tail and body, as well as the lower fin of the fish. Move 2 matches up, and one to the right, as shown in the diagram. Now the fish swims not to the right, but to the left.
2. Pick up the key
Exercise. In this problem, the shape of a key is folded from 10 matches. Move 4 matches to make three squares.
Answer. The problem is solved quite simply. The four matches that form that part of the key handle must be moved to the key shaft so that 3 squares are laid out in a row.
3. Glass with a cherry
Exercise. With the help of four matches, the shape of a glass is folded, inside which lies a cherry. You need to move two matches so that the cherry is outside the glass. It is allowed to change the position of the glass in space, but its shape must remain unchanged.
Answer. The solution to this fairly well-known logical problem with 4 matches is based on the fact that we change the position of the glass by turning it over. The leftmost match goes down to the right, and the horizontal one moves to the right by half its length.
4. Seven squares
Exercise. Arrange 2 matches to form 7 squares.
Answer. To solve this rather difficult task, you need to think outside the box. Take any 2 matches that form the corner of the largest outer square and put them crosswise on top of each other in one of the small squares. So we get 3 squares 1 by 1 match and 4 squares with half-match sides.
5. Hexagonal star
Exercise. You see a star made up of 2 large triangles and 6 small ones. Move 2 matches until 6 triangles remain in the star.
Answer. Move the matches according to this pattern, and there will be 6 triangles.
6. Cheerful calf
Exercise. Move just two matches so that the calf is facing the other way. At the same time, he must remain cheerful, that is, his tail must remain upward.
Answer. In order to look the other way, the calf just needs to turn its head.
7. House of glasses
Exercise. Rearrange six matches so that two glasses make a house.
Answer. From the two outermost matches of each glass, a roof and a wall will turn out, and two matches in the bases of the glasses just need to be moved.
8. Libra
Exercise. The scales are made up of nine matches and are not in equilibrium. It is required to shift five matches in them so that the scales are in equilibrium.
Answer. Lower the right side of the scale so that it is level with the left. The match-base of the right side must remain stationary.
9. Arrow
Exercise. Move 3 matches so that the arrow changes its direction to the opposite.
Answer. To solve this problem, you will need to move the three lower arrow matches up.
10. House
Exercise. Move one match so that instead of 9 triangles there is only one.
Answer. It is necessary to turn the lower diagonal match, the second diagonal match turns with it, because lies on top.
In this article, you have collected the best matchstick puzzles. The presented puzzles are completely heterogeneous - here you will find all levels of difficulty: from a beginner "detective" to a real genius. Go for it!
Many people are very fond of tasks that develop creative and logical thinking. A lot of puzzles have been invented, but tasks with matches stand out from the general list, not least because the material for them is always available to everyone. A box of matches takes up very little space, which means that they can be used not only at home, but also on the train, on the street or at work. All you need for practice is a smooth, flat surface and enough space to lay out a number of matches. That is, quite a bit. And everyone can choose the complexity of the puzzles to their liking. Everyone knows that children cannot play with matches, especially in the absence of adults, but our puzzle games are quite safe: the simplest of them will captivate younger students, and older people will be happy to solve more difficult problems.
If you have difficulty solving a puzzle. But do not rush to look at the answers, although they are also available here. After all, you will deprive yourself of the pleasure of finding the right solution on your own. You can even download the tasks you like from the link that you will find at the bottom of this page.
- Rules and help in passing
- Matchbox puzzles with answers
Rules and help in passing
There are only two main rules. The first can be described in two words - shift the matches. The second rule is that matches should never be broken, but only moved and turned. Agree, the rules look pretty simple. But in reality, it is not always easy to fulfill the condition set in the puzzle. Here, the ability to think outside the box, as well as attention and perseverance, will help out a lot. Attention will help when studying the conditions of the problem - there may be a catch in it. Sometimes, in order to understand what exactly is required of you, you need to puzzle a lot. It should be borne in mind that often the key to the solution is hidden in the condition itself.
Savvy and logic will help you find a non-standard solution, maybe not right away. Matches are allowed to be placed on top of each other, moved in any direction or turned over.
Don't take figures literally. Often there are problems with geometric shapes, where you need to move one or more matches so that the specified number of shapes is obtained. At the same time, several small figures can hide in themselves a large one. For example, if you see 4 squares arranged in two rows, do not rush to claim that there are 4 of them - in fact, the sides of the squares also form the fifth.
Attempts to solve the puzzle as quickly as possible can lead to errors, so take your time and try to calculate all the options, getting closer to the correct answer. This is what persistence and calmness is for here.
Match puzzles (with answers)
Below you will find a series of the most popular puzzles. This is a kind of Top-9 problems of varying difficulty. The difficulty of solutions increases from simple problems to complex ones. These tasks will appeal to everyone - both children and adults.
To compare your solution with the one proposed here, click on the "Answer" button. But do not rush to give up and pry - otherwise you will deprive yourself of the pleasure of solving the problem, as well as a wonderful warm-up for the brain.
1. True equality
Exercise. Move one match to make the arithmetic equality "8 + 3-4 = 0" correct. It is allowed to change both numbers and signs.
There are several ways to solve the puzzle, so matches and wit will help you ...
First way: We turn the four into eleven by moving the horizontal match to the left and down and turning it 90 degrees. And now our equality looks like this: 8 + 3-11 = 0.
Second way: Remove the top right match from the eight and move it to the very top of the four. Equality turns into 6 + 3-9 = 0, which means it is true again.
Third way: Let's turn an eight into a nine, and from zero we'll make an eight. We get: 9 + 3-4 = 8. Equality has become true.
There are other non-standard solutions to this puzzle, where the changes are no longer the numbers, but the "=" sign, for example 0 + 3-4? 0 (we break the match in several places!), 8 + 3-4> 0, but this will no longer be equality, which means it violates the condition of the task.
2. Expand the fish
The task is this: you need to shift 3 matches so that the fish begins to swim in the opposite direction. In other words, you need to rotate the fish 180 degrees horizontally. 
Answer:
Move two matches, which represent the lower parts of the body and tail up and one match from the lower fin to the right. This can be clearly seen on the diagram. Now our fish swam back. 
3. Pick up the key
Exercise. 10 matches are laid out so that they form a key shape. You need to move four matches so that you get a "castle" consisting of three squares. 
Answer:
Finding a solution is easier than it looks at first glance. We shift the matches that make up the head of the key to the base of the rod. Thus, we get three squares laid out in a row. 
4. Field for the game "Tic-tac-toe"
Exercise. Move three matches so that the playing field turns into three squares. 
Answer:
Move the two bottom matches left and right one row higher. Thus, they will enclose the side squares. The bottom center match moves upward, closing the top figure, and the given three squares are obtained. 
5. Problem "Glass with a cherry"
Exercise. Four matches form a glass with a cherry in it. Move just two matches so that the berry is outside the glass. It is allowed to change the position of the glass, but it is not allowed to alter its shape. 
Answer:
To find a solution to this puzzle, it is enough to remember that we have the right to change the location of the glass in space. So, we just need to turn the glass upside down. Move the leftmost match down and to the right, and the horizontal one moves half its length to the right. 
6. Two out of nine
Exercise. You have twenty-four matches arranged so that they form nine small squares. You need to remove eight matches to reduce the number of squares to two. The rest of the matches must not be touched or moved. 
I found 2 solutions to this puzzle.
First way:
We remove the matches around the center of the square, leaving a large square, which is formed by the extreme matches, and one small square in the center. 
Second way:
We leave a large square, consisting of twelve matches and a square with sides of 2 by 2 matches, adjacent to the sides of the large square. 
Maybe there are more ways. Can you find them?
7. Contacting matches
Condition. Arrange 6 matches so that each of them touches the other five. 
Answer:
You need creative thinking to solve the puzzle. Matches are allowed to be placed on top of each other, which means that you will have to look for a solution outside the plane. The correct solution is illustrated in the diagram. You can see that all the matches are actually touching each other. I admit that drawing this diagram was much easier than arranging matches in reality. 
8. Seven squares
Exercise. Move just two matches so that you get seven squares. 
Answer:
The task is quite difficult and for its solution it is necessary to deviate from the stereotyped thoughts. Take any two matches that make up the corner of the large outer square and place them crosswise in any of the small squares. We have 3 squares with sides 1 by 1 matches and 4 squares with sides half a match. 
9. Leave one triangle.
Condition. Move one match so that the number of triangles decreases from 9 to 1. 
You will have to puzzle over the solution, as it requires a non-standard approach and creative thinking.
Answer:
We need to come up with something with a cross in the middle. Take the bottom match of this cross so that it simultaneously lifts the top one. We rotate this cross 45 degrees so that in the center we get not triangles, but squares. Note that this problem is much easier to solve with real matches than on a computer. 
Play online
Match puzzles are a great way to have fun and practice your wit. Moreover, this can be done either alone or in a company. But, despite this, they are used less and less. Perhaps this is due to the fact that more modern methods of making fire are gaining more and more popularity - gas and electric lighters, kitchen stoves equipped with electric ignition and do not require additional funds to turn on the burners. Therefore, the matches themselves are increasingly losing their indispensability.
But thanks to the development of the Internet, the former glory is returning to match puzzles.
Four squares
In the figure of 12 matches, four identical squares are laid out. Remove 2 matches so that there are only two squares left.
Four squares-2
In the figure of 12 matches, four identical squares are laid out. Arrange 4 matches so that you get exactly 6 triangles.
Four squares-3
In the figure of 12 matches, four identical squares are laid out. Is it possible to add 6 identical squares from the same 12 matches.
Three squares
In the picture of 12 matches, three identical squares are laid out. Arrange 5 matches so that there are only two squares left. All matches must be used.
Three squares-2
In the picture of 12 matches, three identical squares are laid out. Arrange 3 matches so that you get four identical squares.
Five squares
In the picture of 15 matches, five identical squares are laid out. Remove 3 matches so that there are three identical squares.
Five squares-2
Five squares-3
In the picture of 16 matches, five identical squares are laid out. Arrange 2 matches so that you get three identical squares. In this case, there should be no lonely sticking out matches. They should all be part of the squares.
Six squares
In the picture of 17 matches, six identical squares are laid out. Remove 6 matches so that only two squares remain.
Seven squares
In the figure of 22 matches, seven identical squares are laid out. Remove 6 matches so that only four squares remain.
Eight squares
Try to fold 8 identical squares out of 15 matches. In this case, it is prohibited to break matches.
Eight squares-2
In the figure of 23 matches, eight identical squares are laid out. Remove 3 matches so that there are five identical squares.
Eight squares-3
In the figure of 22 matches, eight identical squares are laid out. Remove 6 matches so that only 2 identical hexagons remain. There are 2 different solutions (not counting mirroring).
Eight squares-4
In the figure of 22 matches, eight identical squares are laid out. Move 2 matches so that there are 7 identical squares.
Nine squares
In the figure of 24 matches, nine identical squares are laid out. Remove 4 matches so that only 5 identical squares remain.
Thirty squares
In a figure made up of 40 matches, 30 different squares can be counted. Remove 9 matches so that not a single square remains.
Two triangles
In the figure of 11 matches, there is a square in which there are two identical triangles. Arrange 4 matches so that only 7 identical triangles remain.
Four triangles
In the figure of 9 matches, four identical triangles are laid out. Remove only 2 matches so that only 2 equilateral triangles remain.
Six triangles
Arrange 4 matches to make 4 triangles.
Six triangles-2
In the figure of 12 matches, a hexagon is laid out, inside which there are 6 identical triangles. Remove 3 matches so that 3 identical triangles remain.
Six triangles-3
In the figure of 12 matches, a hexagon is laid out, inside which there are 6 identical triangles.
Ten triangles
In the figure of 12 matches, a hexagon is laid out, inside which there are 6 identical triangleskov.Arrange 4 matches so that there are 3 equilateral triangles.
Ten triangles
In the picture of 18 matches, a star is laid out, consisting of 6 identical quadrangles. triangleskov.Arrange 6 matches so that you get 9 identical triangles that are in one large triangle.
Two rectangles
To compose the quadrangles, which are shown in the figure, 18 matches were used. It can be seen that one of them is twice as large as the other. How, using the same 18 matches, make two quadrangles, one of which would be three times larger in area than the other?
Six matches
Try to fold 3 squares out of 6 matches. Matches lcan not be washed.
Fifteen matches
Try to fold 8 squares out of 15 matches. Matches lcan not be washed.
Square and cross
In the figure of 12 matches, there is a square and a cross. The area of the square is 9 square units (provided that the length of the match is taken as 1 unit), the area of the cross is 5 square units. Try to lay out a figure equal to 4 square units from the same 12 matches. It is prohibited to break and overlap matches. Each match must be completely in the length of one of the sides of the figure.
Ladder
A ladder is laid out in the figure of 18 matches. Remove 2 matches so that only 4 identical squares remain.
Window
A "window" is laid out in the picture of 11 matches. Arrange 3 matches so that there are only 2 squares.
Lattice in the window
In the figure of 8 matches, 9 identical squares are laid out. Arrange 3 matches so that there are only three squares left.
Spiral
In the figure andA spiral is laid out with 35 matches.Arrange 4 matches so that there are only 3 squares. Pentagon
Add five more matches to the pentagon in the picture so that you end up with two regular pentagons and five isosceles triangles.
Three quadrangles
In the figure of 9 matches, only two quadrangles are laid out, for the third one more match is missing. Can you still lay out three quadrangles with the help of these 9 matches?
Match puzzles have long been used as tasks for the development of logic and. The popularity of such tasks is due to the ease of use and availability of the material from which entertaining geometric and arithmetic figures are composed. You can solve such puzzles at home, at work, on the street or on the road: you just need to find a flat surface to lay out the necessary schemes from matches. Logic games for shifting matches are both simple and complex, so they are suitable both for children of elementary grades (despite the fact that “matches are not toys for children”) and for adults. This page contains interesting problems with matches of various difficulty levels. For convenience, each task contains an answer and a description of the correct solution, so you can even play online. In addition, at the end of the page there is a link where you can download all tasks for free.
Rules and walkthrough
The rule of any such puzzle, task or game is that you need to shift one or more matches in such a way that the condition is met. However, it is often not so easy to come to the right decision. To do this, you need to show persistence, attention and creativity. Several general rules can be distinguished in order for the correct answers when passing match puzzles:
- Read the assignment carefully. Find out if there is a catch, ambiguity of wording in it. Understand exactly what is wanted from you. Sometimes the problem statement may contain a hint.
- Almost any task is aimed at logic and ingenuity, so immediately get ready to look for a non-standard solution that may take you some time. Please note that lists can overlap each other, move in any direction, and also turn over, if the opposite is not given in the condition.
- Look wider at the figures. Often in the problem statement, you are asked to move the match so that you get a certain number of geometric shapes (triangles, squares). Please note that several small shapes can make up one large one. For example, four squares in 2 rows form 5 squares: 4 small and one large.
- Try to solve the problem, keeping calm, not trying to find the answer at all costs. Look for the answer sequentially, thoughtfully, gradually going through the possible options, trying not to miss the correct answer. Haste can lead to the fact that you miss an answer from which you were only one step away.
Love these kind of riddles, games, puzzles and tests? Get to all interactive content on the site to develop more effectively.
Problems with matches with answers
Below are some examples of popular problems from matches with answers. I tried to pick up the TOP-9 tasks that go in increasing difficulty: from the simplest to the most difficult. These tasks are suitable for both children and adults.
To see the solution to the problem, click on the "Answer" button. However, we advise you to take your time and try to solve the puzzle yourself - in this case you will get real pleasure and a good brain training.
1. True equality
Exercise. It is necessary to move only one match in the arithmetic example "8 + 3-4 = 0" laid out with matches so that the correct equality is obtained (you can also change the signs and numbers).
Answer: This classic math match puzzle can be solved in several ways. As you may have guessed, the matches need to be moved so that other numbers are obtained.
The first way. From the figure eight, move the bottom left match to the middle of zero. It turns out: 9 + 3-4 = 8.
Second way. Remove the top right match from the number 8 and put it on top of the four. As a result, the correct equality: 6 + 3-9 = 0.
Third way. In number 4, turn the horizontal match vertically and move it to the lower left corner of the four. And again the arithmetic expression is correct: 8 + 3-11 = 0.
There are other ways to solve this example in mathematics, for example, with the modification of the sign equal to 0 + 3-4 ≠ 0, 8 + 3-4> 0, but this already violates the condition. 
2. Expand the fish
Exercise. Rearrange the three matches so that the fish swims in the opposite direction. In other words, you need to rotate the fish 180 degrees horizontally.
Answer. To solve the problem, we will move the matches that make up the lower part of the tail and body, as well as the lower fin of our fish. Move 2 matches up, and one to the right, as shown in the diagram. Now the fish swims not to the right, but to the left. 
3. Pick up the key
Exercise. In this problem, the shape of a key is folded from 10 matches. Move 4 matches to make three squares.
Answer. The problem is solved quite simply. The four matches that form that part of the key handle must be moved to the key shaft so that the 3 squares are laid out in a row. 
4. Field for
Condition. It is necessary to shift 3 matches so that you get exactly 3 squares.
Answer. To get exactly three squares in this problem, you need to move the 2 lower vertical matches to the right and left, respectively, so that they close the side squares. And with the lower central horizontal match, you need to close the upper square. 
5. Puzzle "glass with a cherry"
Condition. With the help of four matches, the shape of a glass is folded, inside which lies a cherry. You need to move two matches so that the cherry is outside the glass. It is allowed to change the position of the glass in space, but its shape must remain unchanged.
Answer. The solution to this fairly well-known logical problem with 4 matches is based on the fact that we change the position of the glass by turning it over. The leftmost match goes down to the right, and the horizontal one moves to the right by half its length. 
6. Five out of nine
Condition. In front of you are nine small squares formed by twenty-four matches. Remove 8 matches without touching the rest, so that there are only 2 squares left.
Answer. For this task, I found 2 ways to solve.
The first way. Remove the matches so that only the largest square formed by the outermost matches and the smallest square in the center, consisting of four matches, remain.
Second way. Also leave the largest square of 12 matches, as well as a square 2 by 2 matches. At the last square, 2 sides should be formed by matches of a large square, and the other 2 sides should be in the center. 
7. Matching matches
Exercise. Place 6 matches so that each match touches the other five.
Answer. This task requires the connection of your creative abilities, and going beyond the plane - after all, matches can be placed on top of each other. The correct solution is as follows. In the diagram, all the matches really touch each other. I want to note that it is much easier to draw such shapes online than to lay out real matches like that. 
8. Seven squares
Condition. Arrange 2 matches to form 7 squares.
Answer. To solve this rather difficult task, you need to think outside the box. Take any 2 matches that form the corner of the largest outer square and put them crosswise on top of each other in one of the small squares. So we get 3 squares 1 by 1 match and 4 squares with half-match sides. 
9. Leave 1 triangle
Exercise. Move 1 match so that instead of 9 triangles there is only one.
Solution. This puzzle is not solved in a standard way. To solve the problem, you need to contrive a little (use your own again). We need to get rid of the cross in the middle. We take the lower match of the cross so that it lifts the upper one at the same time. We turn the cross 45 degrees so that it forms squares, not triangles, in the center of the house.
It is worth noting that this task is very difficult to solve online behind a computer screen. But if you take real matches, the puzzle is much easier to solve. 
Download
If you do not have time to solve puzzles with matches on our website, you can download all tasks in the form of a presentation in one, which can be viewed on devices without Internet access, or simply printed on several sheets A-4.
You can download all problems with matches by.
Play
Despite the fact that match puzzles are a great way to test your wit, they are used less and less every year. We can say that the less popular matches become (which are being replaced by more modern means of producing fire), the faster match games and puzzles are losing popularity.
Recently, however, they are starting to gain their former popularity thanks to the Internet and online games. You can play several by.
Place 3 matches on the table so that their heads do not touch the table surface and each other.
Twelve matches are laid out as shown in the picture. How many squares are there? Complete the following tasks:a) remove 2 matches so that 2 unequal squares are formed;
b) shift 3 matches so that 3 equal squares are formed;
c) shift 4 matches so that 10 squares are formed.
Twenty-four matches are laid out as shown in the picture. How many squares are there? Complete the following tasks:a) remove 4 matches so that 5 equal squares are formed;
b) remove 6 matches so that 5 equal squares are formed;
c) shift 12 matches so that 2 equal squares are formed;
d) remove 8 matches so that 4 equal squares are formed;
e) remove 8 matches so that 3 squares are formed;
f) remove 8 matches so that 2 squares are formed.
Additional tasks 1
Three piles contain matches, 10 matches each. Anya and Vova are playing. The move consists in the fact that the player picks up several matches, but only from any one pile. Anya starts. The winner is the one who gets the last match. Can any of the players play in such a way as to win for sure, no matter how hard the other tries?Additional tasks 2
12. 48 matches are arranged in three unequal piles. If you transfer from the first pile to the second as many matches as there were in this second pile, then transfer from the second to the third as much as in this third pile before, and transfer from the third to the first as many matches as there will be in this first pile then there will be the same number of matches in all piles. How many matches were in each pile initially?3. And, finally, "from the first pile to transfer to the second as many matches as there were in this second pile" - there were 28 matches in the second pile, despite the fact that they added as many matches to it as there were at that time. This means that in the second pile there were originally 28: 2 = 14 matches, and in the first - 8 + 14 = 22 matches. The third pile contains 12 matches.