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Speed solving: a code in 3 seconds

Speed Demon, Lightning Fast and Blink of an Eye ask for a win in under 10, 5 and 3 seconds. Here's the trick that makes it possible.

Play Easy

The speed achievements count on any level, so pick the smallest one: 2 digits and 4 clues. Your time bonus also peaks at 400 points for a solve in 10 seconds or less.

The trick: test the fork

On Easy, the “well placed” clue leaves only two possibilities: its first digit is in place, or its second is. Try each branch against the other clues; one of them falls apart almost instantly.

1. Branch A: 8 is second. Then 5 is out, so in 35 the correct digit must be 3, and it has to move to the second spot. But 8 is already there. Dead end.
   58One correct & well placedOne number is correct and well placed
2. Branch B: 5 is first. Then 8 is out. 35 fits: 5 moved to the first spot. In 23, 3 can't be in (35 only had one correct digit), so 2 is in and moves to the second spot.
   58One correct & well placedOne number is correct and well placed

Shave off the seconds

• Read the “well placed” clue first, not top to bottom. The clue order is shuffled every game.
• Ignore “nothing is correct” at first. On Easy it rarely decides anything you can't see from the fork.
• Keep your thumb near the keypad. Tapping two digits takes about a second, so the reading has to fit in the other two.
• Warm up. A few slower rounds first and you'll start to recognise the patterns.

The three speed achievements

Put it into practice

Crack the Code is free on iOS and Android. A new Daily Challenge waits every day.