Chain
Solve problems back to back. One wrong answer ends the run — how long can your chain get?
How to play
Hit Start and solve each arithmetic problem by typing the answer — there's no enter key, a correct answer moves you straight on. Each problem has a time bar; if it empties before you answer, the run ends. So does a single wrong answer. Your score is your chain: the number of problems you clear in a row before you slip.
The game gets harder as you go. Early problems are gentle, but the numbers grow and the time bar gets shorter with every correct answer, so a long chain takes both speed and nerve. You can use delete to fix a mistype before you commit to a full answer.
What's a good chain?
| Chain | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | Warming up | Getting a feel for the pace. |
| 8–14 | Solid | Steady nerves and quick recall. |
| 15–24 | Strong | Holding it together as the timer bites. |
| 25–34 | Excellent | Fast, accurate and cool under pressure. |
| 35+ | Ice cold | Genuinely exceptional composure and speed. |
Tips for a longer chain
- Trust your first answer. With a shrinking clock, hesitation costs more than the occasional near-miss you'd have caught anyway.
- Answer, don't verify. Re-checking a number you already know just burns the bar.
- Watch the delete key. If you fat-finger a digit, delete it — a completed wrong answer ends the run, but an unfinished one doesn't.
- Learn the times tables cold. Multiplication is where most chains break under time pressure.
Why survival mode?
A timed sprint rewards raw volume; a survival chain rewards consistency. Because a single mistake ends the run, Chain trains you to stay accurate at speed instead of trading accuracy for it — a surprisingly different skill, and a moreish one. It pairs well with a warm-up on the Mental Math Sprint before you go for a long chain.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chain free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up. It runs entirely in your browser and your best chain is saved on your own device.
What ends a run?
Two things: a completed wrong answer, or letting a problem's time bar run out. Skipping isn't allowed — that's what makes a long chain an achievement.
Does it get harder?
Yes. The numbers get bigger and the time you get per problem shrinks with every correct answer, so the deeper your chain, the more pressure you're under.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Use the on-screen number pad on a touchscreen, or your keyboard on a computer. No enter key needed — a correct answer advances automatically.