Game Overview

In Fastwin Minesweeper, the board is divided into cells with mines hidden randomly throughout. Your goal is to open all the cells without triggering a mine. Each numbered cell indicates how many mines are adjacent to it. Use this information to identify safe cells and mark suspected mines with flags by right-clicking.

Starting a New Game

To initiate a new game, click on the happy face icon at the top of the board or press the space bar. The upper left corner displays the number of remaining mines, while the game timer is shown on the upper right.

Chording

When the number of flags matches the number displayed in a cell, you can click on that number to automatically open all adjacent cells. This technique, known as “chording,” streamlines gameplay and minimizes unnecessary clicks. It is fundamental for efficient play.

No Guessing Mode (NG)

To master the game, try playing in No Guessing Mode. This mode ensures you won’t have to guess at any point; each starting position is solvable without uncertainty. If you find yourself stuck, there’s a free hint button in the bottom right corner. More complex logical patterns will appear in higher difficulty NG boards, especially at the Evil difficulty level, which features advanced scenarios in every game.

No Flags (NF)

In NF mode, players complete the game without using flags. You win by revealing all non-mine cells, regardless of whether mines are flagged. This approach can reduce the number of clicks needed to finish a board.

3BV (Bechtel’s Board Benchmark Value)

3BV represents the minimum number of clicks required to solve a board without flags. This metric helps gauge board difficulty and your playing speed, often measured in 3BV/s (3BV per second). To prevent excessively easy games, there are 3BV limits for beginner (5), intermediate (30), and expert (100) levels. Boards below these thresholds will not be eligible for time rankings.

Tips for Efficient Play

• Start in the Corners: Beginning your game in the corners often leads to the most openings.
• Use the Desktop Application: If experiencing high lag, consider using our free Windows desktop app, which offers significantly lower latency.
• Memorize Patterns: Familiarizing yourself with common number arrangements that have only one solution can expedite your decision-making process.

Pattern Recognition in Fastwin Minesweeper

Basic Patterns

• b1 (2) – EB1: If a number is adjacent to the same number of cells, those cells are all mines.
• b2 (2) – EB2: If a number touches the same number of flags, all adjacent cells can be opened.

Advanced Patterns

• 1-1 (4) – M1–1: When two adjacent cells both point to the same two yellow cells containing one mine, the adjacent cells can be opened.
• 1-2 (4) – M1–2: If a cell with a 1 touches two yellow cells (one mine), and a 2 touches them, the second mine must be in another cell.
• Triangles and High Complexity Patterns: More complex configurations require deeper analysis, often relying on a combination of the above principles to determine mine locations.

Final Strategies

• Mine Counting (mc1): As the game nears completion, assess remaining mines by counting visible cells and ensuring the total matches the remaining number of mines.
• Combinations (ltc): In rare cases, evaluate potential combinations for cell statuses, which may include impossible scenarios that can guide your decisions.