Daily Dots and Boxes puzzle
Pour the coffee first. This one takes about as long as the first cup.
The daily Dots and Boxes puzzle is a 4×4 endgame where every safe line has already been drawn. Whatever you play gives something away, and the computer answers perfectly. Win at least the target number of the 16 boxes to solve it. A new puzzle appears every day at midnight.
Read the board before you touch it
Count the chains and spot any loops. The target tells you how many boxes the best plan can win.
Pick what to give away
Every move opens something. Choose the chain that costs least, and plan where the double cross comes in.
Hit the target, then share
A solve extends your streak, and you can send your score to friends without spoiling the answer.
How the Dots and Boxes puzzle of the day works
Every puzzle starts at the moment most real games are decided: the safe lines are gone and the board has set into chains and loops. You move first against a computer that never slips. You can't stop it from scoring, but you can choose what it gets and when, and that's enough to come out ahead if you see the right plan.
Each puzzle sets a target out of 16 boxes. Reach it and the puzzle counts as solved. Fall short and you can retry as often as you want; after the first attempt two hints unlock, each pointing at a line that keeps the best score still in reach.
Why a daily strategy puzzle beats another full game
As a puzzle editor, I'd take one sharp position over ten loose games any morning. Full games spend most of their time in the opening, where very little gets decided. A puzzle skips straight to the part that matters, so five minutes drills the exact choices that win: which chain to open, when to sweep everything and when to leave two boxes behind.
Everyone in your time zone gets the same board, which makes the family group chat a lot more interesting before breakfast.
Streaks, badges and the 30-day puzzle archive
Solve on consecutive days to build a streak: three days earns Spark, seven earns Week Warrior and thirty earns Chain Master. Missed a day on holiday? The archive keeps the last 30 puzzles, and archive solves count toward your badges as well.
Your streak and results live on your own device, not in an account, so there's nothing to log into. Clear your browser data and the slate is wiped clean too.
When the puzzle fits your day
- First coffee of the morning
One position, five quiet minutes, and a small win before the inbox opens.
- On the bus
Sixteen boxes fit comfortably on a phone held in one hand.
- The family group chat
Same board for everyone nearby, so you can compare scores without spoilers.
- Back from a week away
Work through the archive and keep those badges growing.
- Stuck on a tough one
Spend a hint. It points to a good line without solving the whole thing.
- Before a rematch
Puzzles drill the endgame choices your friend keeps beating you on.
Daily puzzle questions
What is the Dots and Boxes daily puzzle?
It's one 4×4 endgame position a day, set up so every remaining line gives boxes away. You face a computer that plays perfectly and try to win at least the target number of boxes. Think of it as a crossword for chain counting.
When does a new puzzle come out?
A fresh puzzle unlocks at midnight in your local time zone. Everyone in the same time zone sees the same position that day. Come back after midnight for the next one.
Can I play past puzzles?
The archive holds the last 30 days, so a missed day isn't lost. Pick any date and play it exactly as it was set. Solved archive puzzles count toward your badges.
Are hints available?
After your first attempt you can use up to two hints on each puzzle. A hint highlights one line that still keeps the best result within reach. It nudges you along rather than giving the whole answer away.
How does the streak work?
Solve the puzzle on consecutive days and your streak grows by one each time. Three, seven and thirty days unlock the Spark, Week Warrior and Chain Master badges. The streak lives in this browser, so stick to the same device to keep it going.
Can I share my result?
Once you finish, you can share your score and streak with friends. The share text shows how you did without revealing any moves. That way nobody's puzzle gets spoiled.