Tetris Attack/Puzzle rounds 3-4

Remember, the bottom row is r1 and the left column is c1.

Puzzle 3-1

Puzzle 3-1

Moves required: 2

Notice how many stars there are... what does that mean? This puzzle is interesting in that it has a normal, relaxed solution, and then another which requires you to make the second move within a certain time of the first move.

Solution

1. Move either of the left yellow panels to the left. (r1,c12) or (r2,c12)
2. Move the sandwiched yellow tile to the right. (r2,c34)

These may be done in reverse order, but only if you move the left yellow panel a bit before the top yellow panel falls (after the reds clear).

Puzzle 3-2

Puzzle 3-2

Moves required: 2

Count your blocks! This is a good example of how thinking about what columns the blue blocks must be in can be very useful. Only one way also makes the greens work.

Solution

The reverse order of these is technically possible due to the time it takes for blocks to fall, but only if you are super fast in making the second move and manage to switch it before the others have fallen. Otherwise 3 greens will match before you can get the 5th in place.

1. Switch the bottom left blue panel with the green neighbor. (r1,c34)
2. Move the blue panel in the 2nd row (surrounded by green on 3 sides) to the left. (r2,c23)

Puzzle 3-3

Puzzle 3-3

Moves required: 2

By now you know better than to just try switching the middle panels. This does not always work, but for some puzzles such as this one, it is best to think in layers; if different colors are stacked, get one color to always be on the top, keeping the same color order down the stack. You will have some unstacked columns as well.

Solution

1. Slide the blue panel currently in the bottom of the middle stacks to the left. (r1,c23)
2. Move the top yellow panel to the right. (r3,c45)

The mirror image of this entire solution works as well. (r1,c45) then (r3,c23)

Puzzle 3-4

Puzzle 3-4

Moves required: 2

Sorry, matching yellow first will just not work. This is also a situation where the previous think-in-layers suggestion will not work, as there just are not enough moves for it. So if yellow's not the first match, what has to be?

Solution

These may be done in either order.

1. Move either of the right red panels to the right. (r1,c45) or (r2,c45)
2. Move the top blue panel to the left. (r5,c23)

Puzzle 3-5

Puzzle 3-5

Moves required: 3

This puzzle is an exception: you will be making a match prior to your final move. It also has a very tricky alternate solution. Count your purples, and keep in mind what has to happen for them to all clear.

Solution

After move 2...

The normal solution is as follows, with the first two moves in either order:

1. Switch both right blue panels to the left. The top... (r2,c45)
2. ...and the bottom. (r1,c45)
3. Once blue and yellow have cleared, drop the top purple block into the gap. (r2,c45)

The alternate solution involves a skill chain with some rather specific timing to make it work. The first two moves here may also be done in either order.

1. Move the top yellow panel to the right. (r4,c45)
2. Move the top blue panel to the right. (r3,c45)
3. As the yellow panels finish clearing, move either of the stacked purple panels to the right. (r2,c45) or (r3,c45) If you move the top, this must be done in such a way that the top purple panel will fall just after the yellow panels have cleared, but in the very brief period of time before the other two purples fall as well. If you move the bottom, it must be done in either the manner just mentioned or such that the top doesn't fall until after the left of the three have fallen, but it must be done before the one you're switching has begun the falling phase. See the above linked pages for details.

Puzzle 3-6

Puzzle 3-6

Moves required: 2

Well this sure looks a lot like 2-6, doesn't it? There are actually numerous combo/chain results that can occur, depending on which blocks you move.

Solution

These can be reversed, though of course the r2 move option will not be around if you do.

1. In the highest column, take the second or third yellow (doesn't matter) from the top and move it left. (r7,c34) or (r3,c34)
2. Take either of the two left yellow panels and move it left. (r1,c23) or (r2,c23)

Alternate solution, non-reversible:

1. Move the left-most yellow tile to the left. (r1,c23)
2. Move the bottom yellow tile in the huge stack to the left. (r1,c34)

Puzzle 3-7

Puzzle 3-7

Moves required: 2

You may quickly notice after trying that no matter which purple you move out from between the reds, some of the reds will clear before you can get rid of the other purple. Which panel of a 5 combo must be last to switch?

Solution

1. Move the top red panel left. (r7,c34)
2. The purples conveniently keep that red that just fell at exactly the right height to switch it into the middle of the other reds. (r3,c34)

Puzzle 3-8

Puzzle 3-8

Moves required: 3

Well that looks ridiculously similar to 2-4... In actuality, this setup creates an additional solution.

Solution

Basically any method that gets red in columns 1-3 and green in columns 3-5 will work.
Red clears first (move 1 must happen sometime before move 2, but move 3 can actually happen at any point in the process):

1. Switch the top two panels. (r2,c23)
2. Move either of the left red panels to the left. (r1,c12) or (r2,c12)
3. Switch the right red panel with its left neighbor. (r1,c34)

Green clears first (moves 1 and 2 may be reversed):

1. Slide the bottom left panel to the left. (r1,c12)
2. Switch the right red panel with its left neighbor. (r1,c34)
3. Switch the left green panel with its right neighbor. (r1,c23)

Puzzle 3-9

Puzzle 3-9

Moves required: 2

Remember, a group of 4 panels must either be all in the same column, or in 4 different columns. Take a look at those light blue panels...

Solution

1. Move either of the right dark blue panels to the right. (r1,c45) or (r2,c45)
2. Switch the left light blue panel so that it goes in between the other light blue panels. (r3,c34)

Puzzle 3-10

Puzzle 3-10

Moves required: 2

Good opportunity to think in layers!

Solution

1. Switch the top green panel with its purple neighbor. (r3,c34)
2. Slide the bottom purple panel to the right. (r1,c45)

Puzzle 4-1

Puzzle 4-1

Moves required: 2

Don't let those 3 reds in the middle column fool you into thinking that's the way you want it. And remember, it can be good to concentrate on a different color for a while.

Solution

In either order,

1. Switch the left blue panel into the center column. (r3,c23)
2. Switch the right blue panel into the center column. (r2,c34)

Puzzle 4-2

Puzzle 4-2

Moves required: 2

Just because a move makes a bad first move doesn't mean you can't use it later on. Another puzzle to think in layers on.

Solution

You could reverse these moves, but only if you move the yellow before it falls.

1. Move the bottom yellow to the left. (r2,c23)
2. Move the top purple to the right.(r3,c45)

Puzzle 4-3

Puzzle 4-3

Moves required: 3

Yes, you really can do this in only 3 moves. If you're coming up with a 4-move solution, try reversing the way you're solving it and see if that gives you any ideas.

Solution

1. Take the top of the 2 yellows on the right and move it left once... (r2,c45)
2. Twice... (r2,c34)
3. And three times. (r2,c23)

Puzzle 4-4

Puzzle 4-4

Moves required: 2

It's all about the layers. Got a pesky panel that's not cooperating? Try getting it by itself.

Solution

1. Take the bottom red panel and move it left... (r1,c34)
2. Twice. (r1,c23)

Puzzle 4-5

Puzzle 4-5

Moves required: 3

Having a timing problem? Try switching up the order of your moves.

Solution

1. Take the blue panel in the third row and move it right... (r3,c34)
2. Twice. (r3,c45)
3. Now you can switch the green and purple to make their matches simultaneously. (r2,c34)

Puzzle 4-6

Puzzle 4-6

Moves required: 1

This may look like a ridiculously complicated puzzle, but fortunately only 1 move is required, so a good method is to simply check that your one move will make something match, and then just watch to see if it works out. If you want to narrow it down, check the columns.

Solution

1. Take the purple in the third row from the top, and move it right. (r7,c34)

Puzzle 4-7

Puzzle 4-7

Moves required: 2

Count the yellows! Check Combos if you forget some of the options for that many of 1 color.

Solution

1. Switch the bottom yellow panel to the right. (r1,c23)
2. Move the blue panel out from the yellows. (r2,c34)

Puzzle 4-8

Puzzle 4-8

Moves required: 3

Yet another puzzle to think about in layers. You'll find that to generally be true if you can eliminate the possibility of vertical matches.

Solution

Move 1 must happen sometime before move 2, but move 3 can actually happen at any point in the process.

1. Move the top blue panel left... (r3,c34)
2. Twice. (r3,c23)
3. Move the bottom right blue panel left. (r1,c45)

Puzzle 4-9

Puzzle 4-9

Moves required: 3

These puzzles have a tendency to fool you into thinking panels will match in one way, making you miss the correct method. Be sure to consider the alternate ways.

Solution

Move 1 must happen before move 2. If you make move 3 earlier in the process, you must complete all the remaining moves before green completely clears.

1. Move the bottom yellow panel to the left. (r2,c23)
2. Move the bottom red panel to the left. (r3,c23)
3. Move either of the right green panels to the right. (r1,c45) or (r2,c45)

Puzzle 4-10

Puzzle 4-10

Moves required: 3

Those blue panels are awfully far apart, and you've only got 3 moves to get them in a matchable state.

Solution

Once again, move 1 must happen before move 2, and move 3 can happen anytime.

1. Move the left blue panel to the right... (r1,c23)
2. Twice. (r1,c34)
3. Move the top blue panel to the right. (r3,c56)