Archive for the ‘Puzzle’ Category:

Between Lines Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Following up from clover’s recent Median Sudoku that considered relative values of numbers, in this variation all numbers along each line must sit between the values in the circles surrounding it. Can you figure out how to use these ranges to get to one solution?

Between Lines Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 62nd 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). Also, numbers along each line must have values strictly between the values of the two numbers in the circle cells bounding that particular line. (For example, R3C1 and R4C1 must have values between 2 and 8, the values in R2C1 and R5C1.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 6:00; One party hat (🥳): 11:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: circular Scelidosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:32, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Quadruples Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Today brings another Quadruples Sudoku using Philip’s recent 1-8 diagonal pattern paired with an interesting solving path. Can you handle the shrinkflation with only an 8×8 clue space?

Quadruples Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Shrinkflation

Author/Opus: This is the 43rd puzzle from Philip Newman, 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). Numbers in white circles must appear in at least one of the four surrounding cells.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 14:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Yare Yuanmousaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:51, 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.

Quadruples Sudoku by Bill Murphy

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
This week we have some more Quadruples Sudoku coming, where the clues need to be placed somewhere in the surrounding cells during the solve.

Quadruples Sudoku by Bill Murphy

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: 100 Horses

Author/Opus: This is the 40th puzzle from Bill Murphy, 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). Numbers in white circles must appear in at least one of the four surrounding cells.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 5:00; One party hat (🥳): 10:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Cramming Cryolophosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:50, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Median Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
In this Sudoku variation, similar to Outside Sudoku the clues outside the grid must be in the first three cells. However, here they must also be the median value in those three cells which adds some new and fun challenges to the logic.

Median Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 61st 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). Also, each clue given outside the grid must appear somewhere in the first three cells in the corresponding direction. This clue represents the median (i.e., middle value) of those three cells. (For example, the clue to the left of row 2 indicates that in R2C123 one of the three cells is lower than 3, one is 3, and one is higher than 3.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: mid Minmi.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:10, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Clone Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
In this fun Sudoku with the title “Defying Symmetry” there are two pairs of shapes repeated four times across the grid that must contain the same numbers in the same positions.

Clone Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Defying Symmetry

Author/Opus: This is the 42nd puzzle from Philip Newman, 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). Additionally, each shaded, connected shape (“clone”) in the grid must include the same numbers in the same positions with no rotations or reflections. Numbers may repeat within a clone.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 6:30; One party hat (🥳): 12:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Jinchuanloongish Jinchuanloong.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:55, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Corner/Edge Sudoku by Bill Murphy

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
In this twist on Classic Sudoku, some outside clues indicate the specific locations — corner or edge — where their values must be placed. Can you figure out the key placements to get to the unique solution?

Corner/Edge Sudoku by Bill Murphy

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 39th puzzle from Bill Murphy, 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). The clues outside the grid indicate specific placements within the bold region adjacent to that clue. Corner clues (denoted by ‘C’, in blue) indicate numbers that must be placed in one of the four corner cells of the bold region. Edge clues (denoted by ‘E’, in red) indicate numbers that must be placed in one of the four edge cells of that bold region that touch the bold lines but are not corner cells. (E.g., the clue next to box 1 means that edge cells R2C1, R2C3 and R3C2 contain the numbers 1, 5, and 8 whereas the clue next to box 2 means that corner cells R1C6, R3C4, and R3C6 must contain 1, 3, and 6.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: ThrillHo(plitosaurus).

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:00, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Divisible by Three Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
A special rule applies in this Sudoku puzzle where each stretch of three straight cells in a region must be divisible by three. Can you figure out the key consequences to solve the puzzle?

Divisible by Three Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 60th 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). Also, within each 3×3 region, each of the three sets of three horizontally adjacent cells or three vertically adjacent cells must have a sum that is divisible by three. For instance, R1C1 + R1C2 + R1C3 is divisible by three and R1C1 + R2C1 + R3C1 is divisible by three. This rule does not necessarily apply across regions.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: divisive Diplodocus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:28, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Thermo-Skyscraper Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Today’s GAS raises the temperature a bit with a combination of Thermo-Sudoku and the puzzle genre Skyscrapers.

Thermo-Skyscraper Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: High Rising Temps

Author/Opus: This is the 41st puzzle from Philip Newman, 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). Some thermometer shapes are in the grid; numbers must be strictly increasing from the round bulb to the flat end. Also, as in the puzzle Skyscrapers, each number in the grid represents the height of a building and the clues on the outside of the grid indicate how many buildings can be “seen” when looking from that direction. Taller buildings block the view of smaller buildings. For example, if a row contained the numbers 198432675, then two buildings are seen from the left – 1 and 9 – and four buildings from the right – 5, 7, 8 and 9 – with the other buildings blocked by taller buildings in front of them.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Built Bashunosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:50, 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 and solving video with explanation 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.

Sudoku by Bill Murphy

This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.
Will you swim with the Sudoku fishes in this “Koi Pond” pattern of givens by Bill Murphy.

Sudoku by Bill Murphy

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Koi Pond

Author/Opus: This is the 38th puzzle from Bill Murphy, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 6:30; One party hat (🥳): 12:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Puzzling Puertasaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:44, 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 and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More Sudoku including variations can be found in these books in our e-store. Also, visit this page to purchase all of the puzzles from the 16th World Sudoku Championship including classic 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.

Even/Odd Sudoku by Clover

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Here comes a familiar variant from Clover with even squares and odd circles giving the parity of some of the cells along the solving path.

Even/Odd Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 59th 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). Also, cells with a square contain an even number; cells with a circle contain an odd number.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: alternating Angaturama.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:03, 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 and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for more Even/Odd Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Even/Odd Sudoku to get started on. More Even/Odd Sudoku can be found in these books in our e-store.

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.