Memory Match

How to play the memory game

All cards start face down. Flip two cards per turn. When they show the same picture they stay open; when they do not, take a good look before they turn back over. Clear the board by finding every pair, using as few moves as possible.

Why memory games are good for you

Matching games, also called Concentration or Pairs, train short-term visual memory and focus. They are a popular warm-up in classrooms and a relaxing brain break for adults. Start with the 12-card Easy board and move up when you can clear it in under 10 moves.

Tips

• Work through the board in a fixed order, row by row, so you remember positions more easily.
• Say the picture names quietly in your head — “dog, top left” — it sticks better.
• When you flip a new card, first check whether you have already seen its partner.

More quick brain games: Sudoku, Minesweeper, 2048 and Tic Tac Toe.