Mahjong Link Puzzle

Mahjong Link Puzzle is a digital tile-matching puzzle game derived from the traditional Chinese game of Mahjong. The game presents a layout of 144 Mahjong tiles, arranged in a structured formation, typically a pyramid or a rectangular stack. The objective is to clear the board by removing all tiles in pairs. A pair consists of two identical tiles that are not blocked by other tiles on their left or right sides and are not covered by a tile above them. The game is a single-player variant, emphasizing pattern recognition and spatial reasoning over the strategic play of traditional Mahjong. It is commonly available on web browsers, mobile devices, and as a downloadable application. The game does not involve any narrative, characters, or progression beyond the completion of individual puzzles. Variations may include different tile sets, background themes, and time-limited modes. The core mechanic remains consistent across all versions: matching free tiles to eliminate them from the board.

Gameplay and controls are based on point-and-click or touch interaction. The player selects a tile by clicking or tapping on it. A selected tile is highlighted. The player then selects a second tile that is identical in design and is considered "free." A tile is free if it is not covered by any other tile and has at least one open side (left or right) unobstructed by an adjacent tile. If the two selected tiles match and are both free, they are removed from the board. If the selection does not form a valid pair, the tiles are deselected. The game continues until all tiles are removed or no further moves are possible. A "shuffle" or "hint" function is often available to rearrange remaining tiles or suggest a valid pair. The interface typically displays a timer, a score counter, and a count of remaining tiles. The player can undo a move in some versions. The game ends when the board is cleared or when no valid pairs remain. No keyboard input is required; all actions are performed via mouse or touchscreen.