This perplexing optical illusion has my brain in check mate

We love a good trick of the eye here at Creative Bloq. Our pick of the best optical illusions includes everything from Super Mario confusing us on a staircase to a spinning horse. But some mind benders still just leave me stumped, and this is one of them.

The checker shadow illusion is a famous optical illusion that's been intriguing scientists for years. But I have to admit that I suspected a fast one when I first came across it. We're told that Square A and square B in the illustration below are exactly the same shade of grey. How can that be?

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Joe Foley

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

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