Gridlock

About Gridlock

Gridlock is the classic sliding-block escape puzzle: a six-by-six shelf packed with pieces, each sliding only along its own lane, and a gilded chest that must reach the notch on the right edge. Every shelf is dealt from a seed and machine-proved solvable, with its true minimum move count printed. A nightly shelf the same for everyone, endless fresh ones besides. Free in your browser, no ads, no sign-up.

How to play

Drag any piece along its lane; horizontal pieces slide side to side, vertical pieces up and down, and nothing turns. One slide of any distance counts as one move. Clear a path for the gilded chest and slide it out through the notch. The proved minimum is printed below the board; matching it is the real prize. Taking a move back counts as a move, as the old counting goes.

Controls

• Drag a pieceSlide it along its lane
• Tap a piece, then arrow keysNudge it one cell
• Z or BackspaceTake a slide back
• HCounsel flashes the next best piece

Tips

Work backwards from the notch: which towers cross the chest’s lane, and what must move so THEY can move? The three-long pieces are the real jailers since they have the least room; settle their travel first. When you are stuck, count which pieces can move at all; there are usually only two, and one of them is the answer.