How to Reach 4096
4096 is mostly about endgame board management, not flashy merges.
Lock the corner harder than you think you need to
At 2048+ values, one mistake can scatter your large tiles and end the run. Treat your corner as sacred. If a move risks pulling your biggest tile out, find another move.
Monotonic structure matters more than merges
Your goal is not “merge whenever possible.” Your goal is “keep the board ordered.” A calm board creates merges naturally.
Keep a buffer line for small tiles
The buffer is where new tiles pile up and combine. It gives you room to maneuver without disturbing the large-tile stack.