About the game
A browser adaptation by Zarocer.
Draw lines between dots and close boxes to score. Play against the computer, share a device with a friend or play the daily 4 × 4 board.
Controls
Click or tap an empty line. Completing a box earns another turn. Arrow keys navigate available lines, H gives a hint and Z undoes when the selected mode allows it. Daily uses the Hard computer opponent and disables Undo.
Count the sides before choosing a line
A box with two sides becomes vulnerable when you add its third: the other player may draw the fourth, claim the box and move again. Before drawing a line, inspect both boxes next to it. A single shared edge can expose two boxes at once.
An open chain can give several consecutive boxes to the player who enters it. Count the boxes you are conceding before taking a small immediate gain elsewhere. Avoiding every third side eventually becomes impossible; the useful question is which chain your move opens and what remains afterward.
Understand the daily board
The daily option uses a 4 × 4 board against the Hard computer and disables Undo. Practice a shared-device or computer round first if you want to experiment with chains. A hint highlights a suggested line; it does not guarantee a win or replace counting the surrounding sides.
Save and continue
ZAROCER opens this build in English. Saved progress and records stay in this browser when storage is available. Use the native continuation controls after reloading. Clearing site data can remove saves. The portal’s Pause, Theater and Fullscreen controls preserve one game instance.
Dots & Boxes gameplay screenshots
