Tic-Tac-Logic Interactive

Tic-Tac-Logic puzzles can be played interactively on the computer, offering many features and advantages compared to pencil and paper. This section explains everything about how to play Tic-Tac-Logic on the computer. If you are not yet familiar with the puzzle rules, please go to Tic-Tac-Logic rules.

Placing and deleting symbols

Tic-Tac-Logic interactive is played by placing X and O symbols in a grid. First click on a square places an X, second click places an O and third click brings the square back to its original state.

Completing row or column

When all squares in a row or a column are completed, the X/O counters of the relevant row or column will change to gray. To finish the game, all squares must be filled with X and O symbols according to the rules. When the last symbol is correctly placed in the puzzle a congratulations message together with a thumbnail of the puzzle will pop up.

Using the main ruler (Keyboard: Spacebar)

The main ruler is helpful focusing on the row or column being solved. To view the ruler, place mouse over one of the ruler sliders located under or to the right of the grid. To lock the ruler, click mouse on the ruler tip or press the spacebar key on the keyboard. To unlock the ruler, click mouse on the ruler tip or press the spacebar key again.

Using the secondary ruler (Keyboard: Spacebar)

When the main ruler is visible, a secondary ruler can be created to help compare two rows or columns. To view the secondary ruler, first lock the main ruler which will be used as reference and then move mouse over the ruler slider on the same side.

Toolbar

All game functions are accessed through the toolbar. For some toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcut keys are also available as listed below. Toolbar may be positioned horizontally or vertically using the rotate button on the left edge, and relocated anywhere in the game by dragging its frame.

Zoom in

Enlarge small puzzles for best viewing on your screen.

Zoom out

Reduce large puzzles for best fit on your screen.

Undo (Keyboard: U)

Go back as many steps in the game as you want.

Redo (Keyboard: R)

Go forward after using Undo as many steps as you want.

Mark square

Marking squares is a useful feature to place a temporary X or O pencilmark while solving a puzzle. When in the Mark square mode, first click on a square places a small X, second click places a small O and third click brings the square back to its original state.

Clear marks

Clear all marked squares at once.

Restart puzzle

Restart puzzle to solve from the beginning.

Check puzzle (Keyboard: C)

Check all filled squares for errors.

Progress

Show elapsed solving time.

Show solution

Show solution of the puzzle. Using this button will also end the game.

Preferences

Open Preferences dialog box. New preferences will be automatically saved on the computer.

Auto check completed lines: Check this box to automatically show errors when a row or column is completed.
Show conflicts: Check this box to automatically show conflicts (duplication) between two rows or columns during the game.
Reverse clicks order: Check this box to reverse the order of mouse clicks.
Sound on: Check this box to turn sound on.

About

Open About dialog box to see puzzle size, difficulty, ID, title and other information.

Help

Open How to play Tic-Tac-Logic page you are reading now.

Print options

Open Print dialog box. New print options will be automatically saved on the computer.

Print

Puzzle: Select to print puzzle.
Solution: Select to print solution.
Current state: Select to print current solution state.

Scaling

Preferred image scale: Reduce or enlarge printout.
Attempt to reduce to page: Check this box to automatically fit large puzzles on a single page. When this box is unchecked, large puzzles will print in multiple pages according to selected scaling.
Attempt to enlarge to page: Check this box to automatically enlarge small puzzles to fit on a whole page. When this box is unchecked, small puzzles will print according to selected scaling.
Select optimal orientation: Check this box to automatically select puzzle orientation.