+++

        ^+-------------+@
        ^! Puzzle Time !@
        ^+-------------+@

This month's puzzle is an expanded version of a classic.  With lower levels being very easy and the upper levels offering a major challenge, this is sure to keep you going for a while!

After the opening screen, you will be prompted for the size of your puzzle.  Start easy, choose a 3 x 3 grid.  The puzzle will randomize itself before your eyes, press [RETURN] to stop it.

The object of the game is to get all the numbered tiles re-arranged to their starting positions, i.e. sorted numerically like so:


        ^+-------+@
        ^!^ 1 2 3 ^!@
        ^!^ 4 5 6 ^!@
        ^!^ 7 8   ^!@
        ^+-------+@

 To accomplish this, simply press the appropriate direction key (I, J, K ,M, or the arrow keys) to move the tile of your choice into the empty location (where "9" would be in the example above).  Only the legal moves are shown on the screen, to help remind you of your choices.  The game checks for the correct solution after each move, and will acknowledge your accomplishment when you solve the puzzle, as well as reporting how many tries it took you.

If you get tired of playing a game, press the [ESC] key to exit.  You will be given the choice of playing another game or exiting to the UPTIME menu.

        ^ HINTS @

When first starting, try the 3 x 3 grid until you get the hang of it. Then experiment.  Strange arrangements (7 x 4 for example) will play much differently than the classic arrangements.

If you really want to impress someone with your 'skill', press [RETURN] immediately after pressing the second number key of your choice matrix (it's most impressive with the 8 x 8 matrix).  This will stop the randomization process after only one tile has been moved, and thus you can solve any puzzle in only ONE move!!!

^  Files Needed  @

The following files are needed to run this program:

PUZZLE TIME     - The main program.
ALPHA           - Character set used to print on the HiRes screen

~~~   
~~~ he HiRes screen

~~~