(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Be ready for a party of thinking once you get your head around the rules of this variation (read carefully, because apparently this has been “A Long Time Coming”).

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: A Long Time Coming

Author/Opus: This is the 106th puzzle from Clover, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of numbers in that direction starting at the first cell in the row/column and continuing to either the first odd number or the first even number in that direction. The solver must determine if a clue refers to an even or odd number as the stopping point. (For example, possibilities for the left of row 2 include 643 as 6+4+3 = 13 and 3 is the first odd number, or 76 as 7+6 = 13 and 6 is the first even number. A one-digit outside clue could reference just the first cell, since that would be the first odd/even number in that direction.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 8:00; One party hat (🥳): 15:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: glum Glacialisaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:54, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF; solving video with explanation to be added later from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other less common variations of Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.