A slide puzzle is a frame of tiles with one empty space. You slide tiles into the space until every tile is home. On Survivor it often comes last, after the swimming and climbing, so the player with the calmest hands wins.
The slide puzzle has shown up 19 times across 18 seasons, from Thailand (season 5) in 2002 to Survivor 48 in 2025. Here is every one we could confirm.
Slide puzzle at the final station.
Chuay Gahn reached the puzzle first. Ghandia struggled with it, and Jed solved Sook Jai's puzzle to steal the win.
Won by Sook Jai Source for season 5, episode 1 (opens in a new tab)
Giant floating puzzle, 16 squares, solved by a caller and two movers.
Ulong practiced the slide puzzle before the challenge. Koror still won.
Won by Koror Source for season 10, episode 7 (opens in a new tab)
Head-to-head slide puzzle in the final round.
The winning team's members faced off one-on-one at slide puzzles. Bob finished first, and the reward was a visit from his wife.
Won by Bob Source for season 17, episode 11 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle in the final round.
It came down to Russell, Parvati, and Rupert. Parvati fell behind, and Russell edged out Rupert.
Won by Russell Source for season 20, episode 12 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle that turns into a table maze once solved.
Solving the puzzle was not the end. The finished puzzle became a maze for a ball.
Won by Ometepe Source for season 22, episode 3 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle that releases a hatchet.
A Redemption Island duel. The puzzle freed a hatchet, and the hatchet cut down a bag of blocks for the last stage.
Won by Ozzy Source for season 23, episode 14 (opens in a new tab)
One tile pushed through three slide mazes, then a final slide puzzle.
Dan called Jeff over again and again to check his puzzle. Each time it was wrong.
Won by Joe Source for season 30, episode 8 (opens in a new tab)
Three-dimensional slide puzzle at the top of a staircase.
Spencer and Kelley reached the puzzle close together. Spencer studied it before each move. Kelley rushed. Spencer won.
Won by Spencer Source for season 31, episode 14 (opens in a new tab)
Handle maze on a gate, then a slide puzzle.
Jay was the only one who got his gate open, so he had the puzzle to himself.
Won by Jay Source for season 33, episode 10 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle as the last leg of a relay.
The last tribe member solved the puzzle after the ball-balancing legs. The first two tribes to finish won.
Won by Tavua, then Nuku Source for season 34, episode 4 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle at the top of a tower.
Players built a bridge and climbed ladders first, so the puzzle came at the end of a hard climb.
Won by Laurel Source for season 36, episode 12 (opens in a new tab)
8-piece slide puzzle (3×3), one of three options.
The Goliaths picked the two Davids they thought were weakest. Christian and Lyrsa raced past their rivals on the slide puzzle and won.
Won by David Source for season 37, episode 1 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle after a ladder, bag, and hoop course.
Only the first tribe to finish won immunity.
Won by Kama Source for season 38, episode 5 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle of the season logo.
The final stage of a ball-and-tripwire course. Nick also won two fire tokens.
Won by Nick Source for season 40, episode 13 (opens in a new tab)
Giant slide puzzle of the season logo.
Soka built a big lead and kept it. Helen guided Tika through the puzzle for second place.
Won by Soka, then Tika Source for season 44, episode 1 (opens in a new tab)
Five-piece slide puzzle, unlocked with three keys.
Players balanced on barrels to collect keys before they could touch the puzzle.
Won by Austin Source for season 45, episode 12 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle on a timer, with an anchor pulling it into the ocean.
Rachel finished before the puzzle went under and earned a Vote Blocker.
Won by Rachel Source for season 47, episode 11 (opens in a new tab)
Numbered slide puzzle.
Thomas solved it and earned a Vote Steal. He was voted out before he could use it.
Won by Thomas Source for season 48, episode 2 (opens in a new tab)
Slide puzzle solved blindfolded, guided by a caller.
The caller had to talk a blindfolded tribemate through every move.
If you remember this puzzle from an episode that isn’t listed above, tell us. We check every report against a source before adding it.
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