A square box contains eight tiles, each one marked with a different letter of the alphabet, and one empty space, as shown below. Rearrange the tiles so that they are in alphabetical order, moving one tile at a time into a vacant space.

How many moves do you need to put the tiles in alphabetical order? Can you do it in 23 moves?

Click on a tile that you would like to move. It automatically moves to the empty spot. A tile that ends up in its correct position turns green.

You can go back to the starting configuration at any time by clicking "Reset."

NOTE: To play this game, your Web browser must be able to run Java applets. This applet runs best on Netscape, Firefox, Opera, and some versions of Internet Explorer.

Java applet created by Eric Peterson, 16, Washington, D.C.

Return to GameZone home