Archive for the ‘Variation’ Category:

Slow Thermo-Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
A new Slow Thermo-Sudoku just moved into town. Time to welcome our new neighbor with a housewarming party! Help us celebrate by solving this puzzle.

Slow Thermo-Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: House Warming

Author/Opus: This is the 150th 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 either increase or stay the same in each cell going from the round bulb to the flat end. (For instance, a thermometer might contain the sequence 233577888 in that order.)

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:08, 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

Note: Follow this link for more Thermo-Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Thermo-Sudoku to get started on. More Thermo-Sudoku puzzles 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 some Thermo-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.

Consecutive Pairs Killer Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
These two variants, Consecutive Pairs and Killer, may form a dangerous Sudoku combo for you to solve.

Consecutive Pairs Killer Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 170th 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). If a white circle is given between two adjacent cells, then the two numbers in those cells must differ by 1. Pairs of cells without circles can have any relationship. Also, the sum of the numbers in each cage must equal the value given in the upper-left corner of that cage. Numbers cannot repeat inside a cage.

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:59, 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

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

Irregular Sudoku by Bill Murphy

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
There’s only one “regular” region shape at the center of this fun grid by Bill Murphy. Can you work out how all the other shapes make the solution dance?

Irregular Sudoku by Bill Murphy

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Let’s Dance

Author/Opus: This is the 150th 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).

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:25, 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

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.

Deficit Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
This Deficit Sudoku puzzle suffers from number deficiency anemia and needs a numeral infusion — stat!

Deficit Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Anemia

Author/Opus: This is the 143rd puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Deficit Sudoku rules, with numbers from 1-7: Insert a number from 1 to 7 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row or column. Some regions appear with fewer cells than there are numbers in the indicated range. No number repeats in these regions, but not all numbers will appear in each of these regions.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 5:00; One party hat (🥳): 11:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Hippopotamic Hypselosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:35, 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

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.

Overflowing Arrow Sudoku by Bill Murphy

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
There’s something a little extra in each of the Arrow Sudoku clues in this variation by Bill Murphy; find what doesn’t count to discover the solution.

Overflowing Arrow Sudoku by Bill Murphy

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Author/Opus: This is the 145th 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). Some arrow shapes are in the grid. The sum of all but one of the numbers along the path of each arrow must equal the number in the circled cell. Numbers can repeat within an arrow shape.

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:15, 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

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.

Balanced Killer Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
In this variation on Killer Sudoku, the odd and even numbers must stay in balance everywhere.

Balanced Killer Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Razor’s Edge

Author/Opus: This is the 158th 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, in each cage, the sum of the odd numbers must equal the sum of the even numbers. Numbers cannot repeat inside a cage. (For example, a 5-cell cage might contain the numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 as 2 + 4 + 6 = 5 + 7.)

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:31, 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

Note: Follow this link for more Killer Sudoku and this link for classic Sudoku. More Killer Sudoku puzzles can be found in Killer Sudoku by Serkan Yürekli.

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.

Region Sum Lines Windoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
A storm at a certain Sudoku setter’s house precipitated a leak around one of the windows. Let’s hope your Windoku-solving skills are more solid than the weather-proofing was.

Region Sum Lines Windoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Leakin’ in the Rain

Author/Opus: This is the 125th 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). Each of the four 3×3 shaded regions must also contain the numbers 1 to 9 without repeats. Along each line, the numbers in every region it passes through have the same sum. (In this puzzle, for example, R4C5 + R5C4 = R6C3.)

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:11, 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

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.

Skyscrapers Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
With one less flight of stairs than usual for a Sudoku here, can you climb all the way to the top of this Skyscrapers Sudoku puzzle?

Skyscrapers Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: 8-Story Skyscraper

Author/Opus: This is the 140th puzzle from Clover, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules (insert a number from 1 to 8 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). Also, 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 contains the numbers 15486732, then three buildings are seen from the left – 1, 5, and 8 – and four buildings from the right – 2, 3, 7, and 8 – with the other buildings blocked by taller buildings in front of them.)

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

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 classic Skyscrapers puzzles and this link for variations on Skyscrapers puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Skyscrapers Puzzles to get started on. More Skyscrapers puzzles can be found in The Art of Puzzles, in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli, and in the e-book Skyscrapers by Ashish Kumar.

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.

Slow Thermo-Sudoku by Philip Newman

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Unlike the Texas weather that can’t decide whether to be hot or cold, the temperatures here increase or hold steady in this Slow Thermo-Sudoku.

Slow Thermo-Sudoku by Philip Newman

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Slow Ride

Author/Opus: This is the 108th 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 either increase or stay the same in each cell going from the round bulb to the flat end. (For instance, a thermometer might contain the sequence 233577888 in that order.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 8:00; One party hat (🥳): 17:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Yawning Yamanasaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 5:20, 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 Thermo-Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Thermo-Sudoku to get started on. More Thermo-Sudoku puzzles 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 some Thermo-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.

Less Than or Equal Arrow Sudoku by clover!

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Another Arrow Sudoku variation today with no requirement the sums match the arrow circles, just that they do not go over.

Less Than or Equal Arrow Sudoku by clover!

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Still Not an Arrow Sudoku

Author/Opus: This is the 124th 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). Some arrow shapes are in the grid; the sum of the numbers along the path of each arrow must be less than or equal to the number in the circled cell.

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

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:14, 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 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 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.