PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Heart-Shaped Box

Author/Opus: This is the 160th puzzle from Thomas Snyder aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Isodoku rules, using numbers 1-8.

Answer String: Enter the 5th “row” from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 8th “row” from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:00, Master = 3:30, Expert = 7:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Isodoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Isodoku to get started on.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Star-Crossed

Author/Opus: This is the 159th puzzle from Thomas Snyder aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Star Battle rules. Two stars per row, column, and region.

Answer String: For each row from top to bottom, enter the number of the first column from the left where a star appears. Enter these numbers as a single string with no separators.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:20, Master = 1:45, Expert = 3:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other classic Star Battles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Star Battles to get started on.

All the puzzles from last week have been grouped in this PDF.

If you enjoyed this past week of Tapa, there are many more to enjoy in the Tapa+Nurikabe e-book we are sending out to our high-level supporters later today. This e-book will also be available here in several weeks after our website is properly set-up for PayPal purchases. The next section of The Art of Puzzles to be released will be Masyu+Slitherlink which should be ready by early March at the latest.

Next week will be another variety week with these puzzles (highlight to view):

Monday: Star Battle by Thomas Snyder
Tuesday: Skyscrapers by Tom Collyer (a related skyscrapers from Tom is this week’s bonus)
Wednesday: Nurikabe by Grant Fikes
Thursday: Isodoku by Thomas Snyder
Friday: Fillomino by Thomas Snyder
Saturday: Slitherlink variation by Grant Fikes

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to shift between shading mode and the composite Yajilin mode where left click marks cells, right click marks dots in cells or X’s on edges, left click+drag draws lines.)

Theme: Evenly Split (All symmetric spots contain two odd numbers that add up to the even number)

Author/Opus: This is the 158th puzzle from Thomas Snyder aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Tapa rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the shaded segments 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 = 3:30, Master = 7:30, Expert = 15:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other classic Tapa. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Tapa to get started on.

All the puzzles from last week have been grouped in this PDF.

Next week we will focus on one puzzle type and variation (highlight to view):

Tapa (Classic and Tapa-Like Loop Variation)

The bonus puzzle this week, for our high-level supporters will be: a Tapa-Like Loop by Serkan Yürekli.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Primarily logic, with today’s date hidden as well.

Author/Opus: This is the 157th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Consecutive Sudoku rules. Since there are no bars in this grid, this should be considered a Non-Consecutive Sudoku.

Answer String: Enter the 3rd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 7th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:15, Master = 5:45, Expert = 11:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Consecutive Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Consecutive Sudoku to get started on.

All the puzzles from last week’s Cave collection have been grouped in this PDF.

Next week will be another “variety” week with a mix of styles. The week ended up with a lot of “medium” puzzles so watch out for some tougher puzzles at the start of the week than usual. Next week will feature the following puzzle types (highlight to view):

Monday: Nanro by Grant Fikes
Tuesday: LITS by Palmer Mebane
Wednesday: Masyu by Prasanna Seshadri
Thursday: Statue Park by Grant Fikes
Friday: Nonconsecutive Sudoku by Thomas Snyder
Saturday: Araf by Serkan Yürekli

If you enjoy our puzzles, please consider becoming a patron of GMPuzzles. Next weekend will be the first time rewards are given out including a 64×50 Slitherlink puzzle and other bonus puzzles. See the top of the sidebar for more info.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to shift between shading mode and the linex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)

Theme: Even Slashes

Author/Opus: This is the 156th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Variation of Cave rules. Each clue represents the product of the # of row cells visible (including the cell itself) with the # of column cells visible (including the cell itself).

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the cave 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 = 7:30, Master = 13:30, Expert = 27:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Cave variations and this link for other classic Caves. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Cave Puzzles to get started on.

All the puzzles from last week have been grouped in this PDF.

This year we are alternating between “variety” weeks with lots of puzzle styles and “focused” weeks with one/two related puzzle styles that get developed from easy to hard over the course of the week. Next week will focus on the following puzzle type (highlight to view):

Cave (Classic and Product Variation)

If you enjoy our puzzles, please consider becoming a patron of GMPuzzles. See the top of the sidebar for more info.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between ship placement and shading modes. In ship placement mode, right click gives sea, left click gives circle/square, left click and drag for rounded ships.)

Theme: High Seas

Author/Opus: This is the 155th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Battleships rules. Use the indicated fleet.

Answer String: For each row from top to bottom, enter the number of the first column from the left where a ship segment appears. If the row is empty, enter 0. Enter these numbers as a single string with no separators.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 3:00, Master = 4:15, Expert = 8:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other classic Battleships. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Battleships to get started on.