Fifteen Slide is a classic sliding-block puzzle set in a 4x4 frame with fifteen numbered yellow blocks and one empty space. You can only move a block that sits next to the gap, so every move shifts the hole somewhere else. Your goal is to put the numbers back in order, 1 to 15, with the gap in the bottom right corner. Alexander Bazhanov’s version draws the blocks as small 3D cubes and keeps a local scoreboard of your best runs.
How to Play Fifteen Slide
Press Play and a short 3, 2, 1 countdown runs while the board is scrambled. When it reaches GO, the clock starts and every slide adds one to the move counter shown under the board.
To move, pick a block that touches the empty space from above, below, left or right. It slides into the gap, and the gap takes its old place. Only one block moves at a time, and diagonal moves are not allowed.
You win when the top row reads 1, 2, 3, 4, the next reads 5 to 8, then 9 to 12, and the bottom row ends with 13, 14, 15 and the gap. A Congratulations screen then asks for a nickname. Save it to add your moves and time to the High scores list. The Menu arrow in the corner leaves the current game at any time.
Fifteen Slide Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide a block into the gap | Arrow keys (the block beside the gap moves in the arrow's direction) | Click a block next to the gap | Tap a block next to the gap |
| Tilt the board in 3D | — | Hold the button and drag across the board | — |
| Start a game or open the scoreboard | — | Click "Play" or "Scores" | Tap "Play" or "Scores" |
| Save a finished result | Type a nickname | Click "Save" | Tap "Save" |
| Return to the menu | — | Click the "Menu" arrow | Tap the "Menu" arrow |
Tips and Strategies
- Solve the top row first. Place 1, 2, 3 and 4, then leave that row alone for the rest of the game.
- Then finish the second row. With two rows locked, the rest of the puzzle only uses the bottom half of the frame.
- Set up corner pairs. The last block of a row, like 4 or 8, is hard to drop straight in. Park it below its target, slide its neighbor into place, then rotate both in together.
- Solve the last two rows by columns. Pair 9 with 13, then 10 with 14, so you never have to undo your work.
- Think in loops. Moving the gap around a 2x2 square cycles three blocks, which lets you nudge one block without disturbing the others.
- Watch the move count, not the clock. The scoreboard ranks by fewest moves, so a slow, planned solve can beat a fast one.
Features
- Three ways to move: arrow keys, mouse clicks or taps all work.
- 3D board: the blocks are cubes, and you can turn the board with a mouse drag.
- Move counter and timer: both are shown under the board during play.
- Local high scores: saved nicknames, moves and times stay in your browser.
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