Python Minesweeper Challenge

Vishal Patel
Aug 12
3 min read

Are you an intermediate or advanced Python developer looking for a fun challenge to develop your skills?

Maybe you’ve learned some Python, are comfortable with loops and logic thinking, and are wondering, “Where do I go from here?” or “How can I use this knowledge in interviews?”

In collaboration with Alexander Richter (TD Academy) let me introduce some Python fun:

Drum-roll!

The Python Minesweeper Challenge is a mini-project lasting a month, at which point you will have built your own version of the “Minesweeper” game from the ground up. A fun way that keeps improving Python skills while working on a centred and concise project. You will be able to work on the code structure, create a user interface, and perform this on a real project which can then be mentioned in job interviews. All with the satisfaction that you can click around the game and without blowing yourself up!

For those unaware, Minesweeper is a simple, grid-based game in which the objective is to clear all the safe tiles without hitting a hidden mine. The uncovered numbers tell you how many mines are nearby, making each move a small puzzle about where it's safe to click next. It's a quick, surprisingly tense game that tests logic and risk-taking skills.

The challenge is to sharpen your skills while working toward a tangible project and thinking like a real tool developer. Whether you’re preparing for technical interviews or just want to maintain your coding momentum, you’ll finish with a project you can share and build on.

Minesweeper on Windows XP — Minesweeper used to be bundled with windows (source image: https://www.minesweeper-online.org/about/history-minesweeper)

Rebuilding Minesweeper from scratch may seem like a simple challenge, but it can demonstrate real-world skills that could come up in an actual interview, such as creating a dynamic UI, designing real-time decision logic, writing clean modular code, and working with event-driven interfaces. Most importantly, you'll develop the problem-solving skills necessary for technical roles in VFX, gaming, and software development.

Requirements

Only use Python without any 3rd party libraries
Write up a short README with instructions and explain your project
Upload your zip file before 18th September 2025 and we’ll announce the winner during the TD Meetup on 25th September 2025.

Here are some features for your Minesweeper game:

Whip up a grid (min 8x8) of buttons and place the mines randomly across the grid, creating a digital minefield.
When you click one of those buttons, it’ll let you know if you’re in the clear or if you hit a mine.
If you’re safe, it’ll show the count of nearby mines and how close you are to death’s door.
And if you happen to click a mine? Well, the game will wrap up with a dramatic “game over” moment.
Allow players to flag mines they suspect are lurking around.
Add a timer.
Make sure the first click is always safe (like the Windows version), because everyone deserves a chance to panic before they explode.