Killer Sudoku by Grant Fikes
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Clue Symmetry and Logic
Author/Opus: This is the 290th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.
Rules: Standard Sudoku rules. Also, the sum of the digits in each cage must equal the value given in the upper-left corner of that cage. Digits cannot repeat inside a cage.
Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th row from left to right.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 9:00, Master = 15:00, Expert = 30:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other variations of Sudoku and this link for classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on.
10:25.Great sudoku.Thorougly enjoyed it !
I’ve attempted this 4 times, and get stuck in an unsolvable state each time in the same place each time, with less than half the puzzle filled. I wish I could look at a solution, to figure out where I keep going wrong.
We share solution images with our regular subscribers, but not on the website. However, if you either share a partial grid image or make it more clear where you are stuck perhaps people here can give some help? The top part of the puzzle is much easier than the bottom and it is possible you are overlooking a possible option for the larger cage down there?
It was exactly the large cage on the bottom where I overlooked a possibility. I’ve now solved the puzzle. Thank you!
A bit late to the party, but I just solved this, and had a weird enough experience that I wonder if I missed something. The solve was beautifully smooth, determining cage after cage, until suddenly with about half the puzzle filled and just 4 cages undetermined, I ground to a halt. (Gur 9 naq 11 pntrf unq gjb bcgvbaf gur 15 naq 34 jrer abg pyrneyl erfgevpgrq.) I got through fine by calculating gur qvssrerapr orgjrra pbyhzaf 2 naq 4 va gur obggbz ebj, but that seems like such an uncharacteristic jump in difficulty that I wonder if the intended solution had something easier?