Tangram Master
How to Play Tangram Master
Tangram Master is a digital reimagining of the ancient Chinese dissection puzzle. The goal is to arrange seven flat, geometric shapes—called tans—to form a specific silhouette without any pieces overlapping. It is a game of spatial logic, patience, and geometric intuition.
The Objective
In each level, you are presented with a grey silhouette (the shadow) in the center of the board. You must drag the colorful pieces from the “Tray” area and place them perfectly within that shadow to complete the level.
Official Rules
The game uses a “snap-to-target” system to ensure precision:
- The Seven Pieces: Every level uses the same seven pieces: two large triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, one square, and one parallelogram.
- Movement: Click or tap and drag a piece to move it around the board.
- Rotation: You must orient pieces correctly to fit the shadow. Double-tap a piece (on mobile) or right-click it (on desktop) to rotate it clockwise by 45°.
- Snapping: When a piece is moved very close to its correct position and rotation within the silhouette, it will “snap” into place and lock, changing its shadow to a softer glow.
- Winning: You complete the level when all 7 pieces are successfully snapped into the silhouette.
Understanding the UI
The interface provides real-time tracking of your progress:
- Level Indicator: Shows your current stage (e.g., “The House” or “The Arrow”).
- Snap Counter: Displays how many pieces you have successfully locked into the silhouette (e.g., ✓ 3/7).
- The Divider: A dashed line separates the active board from the Tray, where your unused pieces are stored.
- Reset Button (↺): Use this to return all pieces to the tray and start the current silhouette from scratch.
Top Strategies to Win
Identify the Large Triangles First
The two big triangles take up the most space in any silhouette. Try placing them first to “anchor” the puzzle. Often, their long edges (the hypotenuse) will form the straightest or longest edges of the shadow.
The Parallelogram Warning
The parallelogram is the only piece that is not symmetrical. If it seems like it “should” fit but won’t snap, try rotating it several times. Pay close attention to the angles of the silhouette to see where the slanted edges of the parallelogram might align.
Look for Ghosted Outlines
If you look closely at the grey silhouette, you can see faint “ghosted” outlines of the correct piece placements. These act as subtle guides to help you identify which specific triangle or square belongs in a particular corner.
Work from the Corners
Just like a jigsaw puzzle, start with the distinct corners of the silhouette. Small triangles are excellent for filling in sharp points, while the square is often tucked into the “body” of the shape.