Dr. Sudoku Prescribes #96 – Nurikabe (Cipher)

Nurikabe by Thomas Snyder

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use Tab to go between number entry and shading modes)

This is a “Franken-Friday” puzzle variation.

Theme: Crypt-oceanography

Rules: Standard Nurikabe rules, except the size of each island has been encrypted. Each letter in this puzzle stands for a different positive integer, which must be determined while solving the puzzle. (Formatting note: space has been left in the cells for you to write the actual number values beneath each letter.)

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments (the unnumbered, connected “ocean”) from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry from the next with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 10:00, Master = 15:00, Expert = 30:00

Solution: PDF

  • Excactly 10 mins. Easy and very nice flow.

  • Rog says:

    Gorgeous construction. I didn’t even notice the other two oceans at first!

  • hagriddler says:

    Very nice ! I needed way much more than the “idiot” time standard 🙂 but nevertheless I’m impressed !
    My first instinct was : how can I possibly solve this without a lot of guessing. But of course it solved smoothly !
    The pacific and atlantic oceans were easy enough (only the P bothered me) but the indian took a bit more work. After that the arctic was easy.

  • skynet says:

    1hr 25mins
    Very tough nut to crack.I feel that it is always easy to construct and tweak in these bigger sized puzzles rather than wait for the logic to help you inch forward.After an hour or so i connected arbitrarily around the bottom and the top and found it comparatively easier to tweak and adjust and thereby complete.

  • James McGowan says:

    Great theme for a nurikabe! 🙂

  • SS says:

    This puzzle is a real gem! A great concept, a challenging solve and a really impressive theme. Well done! 🙂

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