Araf by Prasanna Seshadri
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools with a composite mode for line/edge drawing.)
Theme: Small and Big
Author/Opus: This is the 182nd puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.
Rules: Standard Araf rules.
Difficulty: 4 stars
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:15, Master = 6:15, Expert = 12:30
Solution: PDF; a solution video is also available here.
Note: Follow this link for more Araf puzzles on this website. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Araf Puzzles to get started on. More Araf puzzles can be found in the ebook Araf by Serkan Yürekli.
This was a satisfying solve, with an interesting evolution in feel (sebz ovt terrql zbirf gb ernpu gubfr uneq gb trg fcbgf ba gur tevq gb wbfgyvat sbe fcnpr gb svg va gur ynfg ertvbaf).
I still think the puzzle type that oddly feels closest to Araf is Numberlink, and that definitely includes solving feel. With Numberlink, reading Palmer’s overview of solving heuristics really helped me crack the style, and there’s room for someone (better than I) to write a similar guide to Araf. I wonder how many people are just sort of banging their heads against puzzles like this, while others happily solve by “just kind of doing the Araf stuff”.
I see what you mean. “Soft” logic can be very helpful in Araf, but I find it closer to something like Spiral Galaxies.
9:59.Very nice puzzle !