The object of Alchemy is to change the game board from LEAD to GOLD by placing Runes (game pieces) on every square. Each Rune must be placed next to another Rune that has already been placed on the board. Runes placed next to each other must match in color, shape, or both. You can complete a line of Runes horizontally (rows) or vertically (columns). If you complete an entire row or column of Runes, they will disappear, leaving the spaces they occupied GOLD, resulting in points and provides you room onto which you can place more Runes.

When you find you cannot place a Rune, you can discard it by clicking on the DISCARD button on the left of the game screen. When you discard a Rune game piece, the Forge partially fills up with lava. You can discard three Runes in a row safely, but when the fourth Rune in a row is discarded, the Forge will be filled with lava and your game will end. However, the Forge cools down with every Rune you place successfully, so discarding one Rune does not mean your game is finished.

As you play, and begin to fill the board with Runes, the game will become more difficult. Each new Rune you place must match the shape or color with ALL the Runes it is placed next to.

There are two other game pieces that are not Runes. Grey stones are wild cards, and can be placed next to any Runes. Skulls will destroy any Rune they are placed on ? you'll find that these pieces can work for you, or against you.

There are three levels of difficulty in the game, level one being easiest and level three being the hardest. Each has a greater number of colors and shapes for the Runes, which makes placing Runes on each successive level more difficult. You will score more points per placement and row/column cleared on the higher difficulty levels.