What are lateral thinking puzzles?
Rules and how to play solo

What is a lateral thinking puzzle?

A host describes a short situation that doesn't seem to add up. The solver may only ask questions that can be answered with yes or no, and pieces the answers together to work out what really happened.

They are also called situation puzzles, yes/no puzzles, or minute mysteries. In Korea and Japan the game is known as “turtle soup,” after a famous puzzle about a man who orders turtle soup at a restaurant.

There are three rules

• Every question must be answerable with yes or no. “Why did she die?” doesn't work. “Was it an accident?” does.
• There are three answers: Yes (matches the truth), No (doesn't match the truth), and Irrelevant (doesn't matter for solving the case).
• When you think you know the truth, say who, why, and how. If the key points are all there, you've solved it.

Here, you can play solo

Normally you need a host who knows the answer. In Goranhee's Lateral Thinking Puzzles, Detective Goranhee is the host, so you can play by yourself right on your phone.

1. 1Pick a case.
2. 2Type a question and send it. Goranhee answers Yes, No, or Irrelevant.
3. 3If you get stuck, take a hint. Each case has up to three.
4. 4When you think you know the truth, tap “Solve it” and write your answer. You can try as many times as you like.

Tips for asking good questions

• Start broad, then narrow down. Begin with big splits like “Was it an accident?” or “Is someone else involved?”
• Doubt what seems obvious. A job, a place, a time, or how the people are related is often the key.
• “Irrelevant” is a clue too. It tells you not to dig any further in that direction.
• Ask one thing at a time. Mixing two questions makes the answer hard to read.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play alone?

Yes. Goranhee acts as the host and answers your questions right away. It's also fun to share a screen with a friend.

Do I need to sign up or install anything?

No. You can play on the web without signing in. Your progress is saved only on the device you're using.

What happens if my answer is wrong?

Nothing bad. You can keep asking questions and submit again as many times as you like.

What if I really can't figure it out?

You can take a hint, or give up and see the truth. A case you give up on is filed as a cold case.