How to play the sliding puzzle (taquin)
Takin is a classic sliding puzzle. Your goal is to move the tiles into order using the empty space. Here is a quick guide to start playing and improve your time.
Goal and rules
Each puzzle has one empty tile. You can slide any adjacent tile into the empty space. The puzzle is solved when all tiles are in the correct order.
The important detail is that a tile can only move through the empty square. Good players are not just moving a tile toward its final place; they are also steering the empty square so the next useful move stays available.
- 1Tap a tile next to the empty space to slide it.
- 2Build the top rows first, then complete the last rows.
- 3Finish by solving the final 2x2 or 3x2 block.
A reliable solving method
Sliding puzzles become easier when you stop chasing single tiles across the board. Work in stable zones: solve a row, protect it, then solve the next row without disturbing what is already correct.
1. Lock the first row
Place the first row from left to right. If the last two tiles of the row are difficult to order, bring them close to their final columns, rotate the empty square around them, then slide both into place as a pair.
2. Finish the first column
After the top row is stable, solve the left column using the same idea. This reduces the active board and turns a 4x4 into a smaller 3x3 problem.
3. Treat the final block as a cycle
The last 2x2 or 3x2 block is usually solved by cycling tiles around the empty space. Avoid breaking solved rows at this stage; rotate the remaining tiles until the final order appears.
Strategy by grid size
| Grid | What to focus on | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| 3x3 | Learn tile cycles and empty-square control. | Try to solve without hints, then replay for fewer moves. |
| 4x4 | Build rows and columns in order. | Do not rush the final two rows; treat them as one shared block. |
| 5x5 and 6x6 | Plan space for long routes before moving a tile. | Move the empty square ahead of the target tile instead of pushing from behind. |
Tips to solve faster
Daily puzzle and leaderboards
The daily puzzle is the same for everyone. Try to finish with fewer moves and less time to climb the leaderboard.
Takin keeps separate leaderboard buckets for runs with help and runs without help. The monthly championship uses the best overall daily result, so a clean daily run can matter even if you are not first every day.
Common mistakes
- !Moving a correct tile out of a solved row without a plan to put it back.
- !Chasing the closest tile instead of solving tiles in a stable order.
- !Leaving the empty square trapped far from the area you need to work on next.
Sliding puzzle FAQ
Are all Takin puzzles solvable?
Yes. Takin creates playable sliding puzzles, so you never need an impossible tile swap to finish a board.
Do numbers change the score?
Numbers and other help tools are allowed, but helped runs are separated from no-help runs in the classic leaderboards.
Can I play with my own photos?
Yes. Custom photo puzzles stay private on your device and are not submitted to the public leaderboards.