Crosscut
Also known as Four-way split and Equal partition
Scattered symbols, two straight cuts, and four sections that must hold the same set. Draw across the board, then slide or turn the cuts until each section has one circle, one triangle, one star and one square. Expert adds a second circle to every set. Each board is checked for exactly one way to divide its symbols, and wrong cuts can be moved freely.
How it works
- Draw two straight cuts so every section contains the same set of symbols.
- Each section needs one circle, one triangle, one star and one square. On Expert, two circles.
- Drag across the board to draw a cut; it runs edge to edge. Drag a cut to slide it, or a handle to turn it. Drawing a third replaces the highlighted cut.
- A cut that touches a symbol doesn't count — that symbol is in no section, and it's ringed.
- The two cuts must cross on the board.
- A hint marks where a cut meets the edge of the board. Once both are marked, a hint draws a cut for you.
- Every board has exactly one way to split it.
Good if you want…
- A visual puzzle with no reading or arithmetic
- Finding a pattern in scattered shapes
- Trying an idea and adjusting it freely
How to solve Crosscut
Count each kind on both sides
Each cut in a solution puts half of every kind on either side. On the standard board that means two circles, two triangles, two stars and two squares on each side of your first cut. If one side has three stars, adjust the cut before looking for the second.
Check all four sections
A first cut can divide every kind evenly and still lead to a dead end. The second cut must divide both halves correctly at once. Look for a straight route that leaves a complete set in every section; if it cannot, move the first cut or try another angle.
Use the handles to refine a cut
Drag the line to slide it without changing its angle, or drag an end handle to turn it. A ringed symbol is touching a cut and belongs to no section. Leave clear space around every symbol, then lift your finger to let the game judge the board.
Common mistakes
- Counting only the total number of symbols. Every section needs the same kinds as well as the same total.
- Assuming a balanced first cut must be right. Harder boards include convincing cuts that no second cut can finish.
- Drawing two parallel cuts. The cuts must cross inside the board to make four sections.
Crosscut questions
How do the difficulties differ?
Easy leaves wider gaps and uses cuts closer to the board's edges. Medium allows any angle, Hard narrows the gaps and adds tempting wrong routes, and Expert gives every section two circles as well as one of each other shape.
Does a wrong cut cost a life?
No. Move it, undo it or clear both cuts and try again. The board is judged when you finish a drag.
Can I play with a keyboard?
Press Enter to add a cut. Left and Right turn the selected cut, Up and Down move it, and Space selects the other cut.
Crosscut in Winters Puzzles
Crosscut is one of 40 puzzles in Winters Puzzles, so it sits alongside Tessera, Ripple, Flow and everything else in the app rather than being a download of its own. It counts towards your stats and streak like any other puzzle. It is not one of the puzzle types included in Pip’s dailies.
Play Crosscut.
Free on iPhone and iPad, with 39 other puzzles alongside it. Or play it in your browser — no download, nothing to sign up for.
