Simple Image Recognition Algorithm(s)

[Clockowl]

My goal is to create a program that plays Mahjong. I figured the algo would be a bit like this:

While there are blocks left {
Fetch new board
Recognize blocks //find 2 of the same images within the image.
Find free blocks //not *really* necessary: computer versions don't allow the non-free blocks to be clicked/removed, so the program can click away.
Check which ones are the same and remove those. //Will send input, but this part is covered. 
}

So obviously there are tons of algorithms for image recognition, but I was wondering if anyone knew the the simplest way of image recognition. What bubble sort is to sorting, this algo needs to be to image recognition. ;)

Thanks in advance,

[nucleon]

So you are wanting to read a board created by another program. You want to read a screen capture of it?

How many different pieces in mahjong?

If the pieces are different enough and there's not too many, you could probably figure out something simple.

[Clockowl]

You want to read a screen capture of it?

Yes, the idea was to screen capture the board.

How many different pieces in mahjong?

I have no clue, but I think it differs per puzzle.

you could probably figure out something simple.

Perhaps, hehe. But I don't think it depends on how many different pieces there are, my algorithm with search for exact matches, which is possible since the tiles are exactly the same.

[mvmalderen]

Just image recognizing only won't solve the Mahjongg game, as the program also has to respect the rules of the game, but I assume this isn't the problem ...