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: Tightly Packed

Author/Opus: This is the 170th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Cave rules.

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 = 1:00, Master = 1:30, Expert = 3:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow 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’s Sudoku focus have been grouped in this PDF. Many of the puzzles from last week have gotten rave reviews. So even if you normally don’t like sudoku you may want to go back and try the puzzles you missed.

Next week will be another variety week with these puzzles (highlight to view):
Monday: Cave by Thomas Snyder
Tuesday: Slitherlink by Grant Fikes
Wednesday: Pentominous by Grant Fikes
Thursday: Sum Skyscrapers by Thomas Snyder
Friday: Outside Nurikabe by guest constructor Tapio Saarinen
Saturday: Nanro by Serkan Yürekli

The bonus puzzle for our high-level supporters will be a Fillomino by Grant Fikes.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between Sudoku number entry mode and a shading mode to mark the top grid.)

Theme: Clue Symmetry and Logic

Author/Opus: This is the 17th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Variation of Sudoku rules. Each number in the top grid must be moved either up, down, left, or right the same number of cells as that number’s value without crossing the border of the grid. Numbers must all land on unique spots, but unlike in normal Hamle numbers may be adjacent after moving and white areas may not all be connected. Then solve the resulting sudoku. (Note: It is possible for a number to have two valid movement options in the solution; it is only required that at least one direction of movement exists for each number.)

Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 9:30, Master = 15:00, Expert = 30:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other less common variations of Sudoku. Many specific variations of Sudoku have their own categories in the sidebar to the left. Follow this link for classic Sudoku.

PDF

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

Theme: Flyers

Author/Opus: This is the 169th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules.

Answer String: Enter the 6th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 5:30, Master = 11:00, Expert = 22:00

Solution: PDF; a solution video is available here.

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 classic Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku, The Art of Sudoku 2 and in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli.

PDF

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

Theme: X Box

Author/Opus: This is the 16th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Standard Arrow Sudoku rules.

Answer String: Enter the 4th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 6:30, Master = 9:30, Expert = 19:00

Solution: PDF

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.

PDF

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

Theme: Stacked Boxes

Author/Opus: This is the 168th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Thermo-Sudoku rules.

Answer String: Enter the 1st row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 6th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:15, Master = 5:15, Expert = 10:30

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 The Art of Sudoku 2.

PDF

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

Theme: Parity Groups

Author/Opus: This is the 167th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Even/Odd Sudoku rules (i.e., cells with a square contain an even digit; cells with a circle contain an odd digit).

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 = 2:15, Master = 3:15, Expert = 6:30

Solution: PDF

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 puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku 2.

PDF

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

Theme: Solve Me, I’m Irish

Author/Opus: This is the 94th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.

Rules: Variation of Sudoku rules. Instead of the digits 1-9, use the letters in “SHIRT PACK”.

Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 8th row from left to right. Use capital letters (i.e. “SHIRTPACK”) when entering each row.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 4:00, Expert = 8:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other less common variations of Sudoku. Many specific variations of Sudoku have their own categories in the sidebar to the left. Follow this link for classic Sudoku.

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

This coming week may make some of you very happy. For the second time in the site’s history, the whole week will be Sudoku and variations. We’ve put together some really incredible puzzles, but many of them are harder than their normal weekly spots so watch out for unexpected tricks.

The bonus puzzle this week for our high-level supporters is a Cave puzzle by Thomas Snyder; we’ve now crossed over 50 Grandmaster level supporters which is a great accomplishment as we close in our the first group milestone goal.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between a composite mode for line/edge drawing and a number entry mode.)

Theme: 32 Dice (Here Prasanna follows up on Grant’s 28 dice series with an 11×11 puzzle with just 32 clues from 1-6.)

Author/Opus: This is the 15th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Standard Fillomino rules.

Answer String: For each cell in the marked rows/columns, enter the area of the polyomino it belongs to. Start with the 11th row, followed by a comma, followed by the 7th column.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:15, Master = 6:00, Expert = 12:00

Solution: PDF

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