or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between Sudoku entry modes and a shading mode to mark off clues.)
Theme: Four Nonets
Rules: Standard Outside Sudoku rules.
Answer String: Enter the 5th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th column from top to bottom.
Time Standard: Outside Sudoku Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 3:00, Expert = 6:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: A little of everything — the rows have clues from 1 to 6.
Rules: Standard Skyscrapers rules.
Answer String: Enter the 4th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th column from top to bottom.
Time Standard: Skyscrapers Grandmaster = 1:00, Master = 1:45, Expert = 3:30
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Jekyll and Hyde – digits but no bars up top, bars but no digits down below. Master both sides to solve this puzzle.
Rules: Standard Consecutive Sudoku rules.
Answer String: Enter the 1st column from top to bottom, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th column from top to bottom.
Time Standard: Consecutive Sudoku Master = 4:30, Expert = 13:30, Novice = 45:00
Solution: PDF and solving video.
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in linex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
Theme: Almost Twisted! – Slightly imperfect, but more difficult as a result.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of the horizontal loop segments from left to right in the marked rows, starting at the top. If the loop only has vertical segments in the marked row, enter 0. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standard: Masyu Master = 2:00, Expert = 6:00, Novice = 20:00
Note: Advice on solving this puzzle has now been posted in “Ask Dr. Sudoku #5”
Solution: PDF and solving video.
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Boxes upon Boxes
Rules: Standard Consecutive Sudoku rules.
Answer String: Enter the 7th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th column from top to bottom.
Time Standard: Consecutive Sudoku Master = 4:00, Expert = 12:00, Novice = 40:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in linex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
Theme: Smiley Face – our first (but probably not last) use of this theme here.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of the horizontal loop segments from left to right in the marked rows, starting at the top. If the loop only has vertical segments in the marked row, enter 0. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standard: Masyu Master = 1:00, Expert = 3:00, Novice = 10:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Hashtag Fun? A consecutive sudoku with a large # in the middle.
Rules: Standard Consecutive Sudoku rules.
Answer String: Enter the 5th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 7th row from left to right.
Time Standard: Consecutive Sudoku Master = 2:00, Expert = 6:00, Novice = 20:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in linex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
Theme: Our 25th prescription! Enjoy this easy Masyu puzzle.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of the horizontal loop segments from left to right in the marked rows, starting at the top. If the loop only has vertical segments in the marked row, enter 0. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standard: Masyu Master = 0:30, Expert = 1:30, Novice = 5:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Multi-arrow Challenge! Also, there is a 1-9 “digit pangram” in the nine givens.
Rules: Standard Arrow Sudoku rules.
Answer String: Enter the 4th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 2nd column from top to bottom.
Time Standard: Arrow Sudoku Master = 6:00, Expert = 18:00, Novice = 1:00:00
Solution: PDF and solving video.
Note: Follow this link for more Arrow Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Arrow Sudoku to get started on. More Arrow Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku 2.
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: An Almost Perfect 10? The border of this Cave puzzle is almost completely uniform.
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 Standard: Cave Master = 3:30, Expert = 10:30, Novice = 33:00
Solution: PDF and solving video.
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.