{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/puzzle--family-matching","type":"mechanic","id":"puzzle--family-matching","lang":"en","title":"Matches and field clearing","summary":"The player forms valid groups and chooses the order in which they clear.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/puzzle--family-matching/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-matching.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-matching.md","aliases":["Matching and clearing"],"tags":["Puzzles","Mechanics catalog"],"sourceIds":["source-39db1f94006d0202"],"sources":[{"id":"source-39db1f94006d0202","title":"Bejeweled® 3","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/78000/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Create valid groups and choose the order in which they are deleted."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-matching-variants\"></a>\n\n- Matching pairs. Definition: Find two elements that coincide or complement each other. Conditional example: Connect a key with a suitable well. <a id=\"variant-pair-match\"></a>\n- Paired disclosure from memory. Definition: Reveal hidden elements and remember positions for later matching. Conditional example: Find pairs of symbols under cards. Terms: memory; concentration. <a id=\"variant-memory-pairs\"></a>\n- Collecting a line of matches. Definition: Rearrange elements for a row of a given length. Conditional example: Change adjacent stones and collect a three. Terms: match-3; three in a row. <a id=\"variant-match-line\"></a>\n- Deleting a linked group. Definition: Select identical elements that touch; deletion rearranges the field. Conditional example: Remove a group to connect two others. Terms: SameGame; collapse. <a id=\"variant-match-group\"></a>\n- Targeted addition to the group. Definition: Launch an element into a cluster and achieve a coincidence or collapse. Conditional example: Hit a colored cluster with a ball. Terms: bubble shooter. <a id=\"variant-shoot-match\"></a>\n- Carrying out a chain of matches. Definition: Carry out a continuous route along compatible elements. Conditional example: Connect adjacent runes of the same type. <a id=\"variant-draw-chain\"></a>\n- Merging identical objects. Definition: Combine compatible elements into an object of the next level. Conditional example: Merge two identical tiles into one. Terms: merge; 2048; Threes. <a id=\"variant-merge\"></a>\n- Clearing a filled line. Definition: Place shapes so that completely filled rows or columns disappear. Conditional example: Close a gap in the bottom row. Terms: line clear; Tetris. <a id=\"variant-full-line\"></a>\n- Removing available pairs. Definition: Remove matching elements only when access conditions are met. Conditional example: Disassemble a multi-layer tile layout. Terms: mahjong solitaire; Mahjong solitaire. <a id=\"variant-exposed-pairs\"></a>\n- Rearrangement of cards by rank. Definition: Build sequences according to the rules of suit, rank and access to hole cards. Conditional example: Release a card under a long column. Terms: solitaire; solitaire <a id=\"variant-card-solitaire\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"A wide catalog of mechanics for digital puzzles, paper logic problems and physical puzzles. Each position contains an action or rule and a conditional example of application."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"puzzle","id":"family-matching","title":"Puzzles","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/puzzle/#family-matching","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Matching and clearing","description":"The player forms valid groups and chooses the order in which they clear.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/adventure-bejeweled3-00.webp","width":1440,"height":900,"game":"Bejeweled® 3","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/78000/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/78000/ss_b2eb4ba6d54f1d7fbff69d7050c6d4eda34767fd.1920x1080.jpg?t=1725652822","credit":"PopCap Games, Inc. / Electronic Arts","rights":"Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.","caption":"Gems are swapped to form a match","alt":"Gems are swapped to form a match","markers":[{"x":54,"y":49,"label":"Adjacent gems available to swap"}]},"tips":["Show valid matches and the order in which groups clear."],"examples":[{"title":"Bejeweled® 3","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/78000/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/puzzle"}}