Start by looking above and around
One upper tile can cover several below it. If both copies are free, removing that pair may open several parts of the board at once.
Do not remove a top tile just because it is high. Check what it actually covers and whether the move frees anything.
Three matching tiles, two possible pairs
Suppose three identical tiles are free. One sits at the end of a long row, one covers a tile, and the third is isolated. Pairing the row-end tile with the covering tile may open two places at once. Using the isolated tile may open only one.
Before choosing, also check whether the remaining copy is likely to find a partner later. Opening two positions will not help if it strands the fourth matching tile.
Give long rows room to open
Tiles in the middle of a row are blocked on both sides. Removing an end tile is the first step towards them. When two pairs look equally useful, see which one brings you closer to a tile you need.
For example, a free 3-circle tile may be waiting for its partner in the middle of a row. Work from an accessible end; clearing a tile in another, already open corner will not release that partner.
Treat flowers and seasons as flexible pairs
Different flowers can match each other. So can different seasons. If several are free, choose the pair that opens the most useful positions.
Do not spend time searching for the same flower picture. Keep flowers and seasons separate: they are two different matching groups.
Use undo to explore a different choice
If no pairs remain, return to a move where you had a choice. Try another pair and compare what becomes free. Restarting the same day and difficulty gives you the same initial board.
The easy level has 72 tiles and leaves fewer positions to track. Once you are comfortable reading the layers, try normal with 108 tiles or hard with 144. There is no countdown to race.