Dr. Sudoku Prescribes #74 – Slitherlink
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in edgex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
Theme: Two Fields
Rules: Standard Slitherlink rules.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the internal loop segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:00, Master = 3:00, Expert = 6:00
Solution: PDF
This puzzle feels an awful lot like a counterpoint to Grant’s Masyu from last week. However, this time the final step(s) to avoid a giant loop and a smaller loop in the center felt like an actual process of thought rather than stuff I do automatically anyway (absolutely no disrespect meant to Grant’s puzzle which was enjoyable in its own right).
Lots of good stuff here.
I found myself doing something I don’t remember seeing showcased before with the diagonal 1’s, similar to what is often done with diagonal 2’s. I shall have to remember to consciously add that to my slitherlink arsenal.
At first I thought this cannot really be a thursday puzzle with all those 3s. But the interaction between the 3s and the 1s is very interesting. Also the fact that I messed up and had to start over let me eat my words 🙂
In hindsight I can say that I really didn’t mess up once on this puzzle at all ! But I have to admit I messed up twice…
36 mins