MindYourPuzzleMindYourPuzzle
Insight · ★★☆☆☆ · ~3 min

Two Squares from Four

Twelve matches, four squares. Remove two sticks — then count again.

by MindYourPuzzle

Twelve matchsticks form a 2 × 2 grid of four small squares — 8 sticks around the outside, 4 forming the cross in the middle.

match-squares

Remove exactly 2 matchsticks so that exactly 2 squares remain.

Every remaining stick must be part of a square — no dangling leftovers. Describe which sticks you remove.

Hints