or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Logical
Rules: Standard Cross the Streams rules.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments from top to bottom for the marked columns, going in order from A to B to C to D and separating each entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:30, Master = 3:45, Expert = 7:30
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Double
Rules: Standard TomTom rules, using digits from 1-5.
Answer String: Enter the 4th row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 2nd column from top to bottom.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:15, Master = 2:00, Expert = 4:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other classic TomTom. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest TomTom to get started on.
Today’s Surprise originated from an unintended mistake. Despite a puzzle labeled “Star Battle” and a graphic with a “2 star” label at the top, Friday’s puzzle was attempted by first one and then many solvers out of curiosity as a LITS. While I’ve seen a Star Battle that can double as a LITS, this was not originally one of them and it is not a typical property to have.
Undaunted by the challenge, Tapio Saarinen (ArDeeJ) sent along a modification of my puzzle into a LITS. After some tweaks by me, we have a Christmas Tree LITS puzzle with very few changes from the original (see this crude sketch). Enjoy the gift that keeps on giving!
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Christmas Tree LI(gh)TS
Or, if you prefer to treat this as a Star Battle for some unknown reason, use these rules: In this variation of Star Battle, place the indicated number of stars in each row, column, and region. Then shade exactly four connected cells (without stars) in each outlined region, to form an L, I, T, or S tetromino, so that the following conditions are true: (1) All shaded cells are connected with each other; (2) No 2×2 group of cells can be entirely shaded black; (3) When two tetrominoes in adjacent regions share an edge, they must not be of the same type (L, I, T, or S), regardless of rotations or reflections.
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 with a comma.
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: “The Star Battle for Christmas”
Rules: Standard Star Battle rules. Two stars per row, column, and region. Note: the shading is just to emphasize the theme and is not involved in the solve.
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 = 2:15, Master = 5:15, Expert = 10:30
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other classic Star Battles and this link for Star Battle variations. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Star Battles to get started on. More Star Battle puzzles can be found in The Art of Puzzles, in the book Star Battle by JinHoo Ahn, and in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli.
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Baby in a Corner
Rules: Standard Nurikabe rules.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments (the unnumbered, connected “ocean”) 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 = 1:15, Master = 2:00, Expert = 4:00
Solution: 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: 2×14 Dice (Opus #7 in Grant’s series with 28 1-6 clues)
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 7th column, followed by a comma, followed by the 8th column.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:45, Master = 2:30, Expert = 5:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other classic Fillomino and this link for more variations on Fillomino puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Fillomino puzzles to get started on.
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: Even Versus Odd
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 = 2:30, Master = 4:15, Expert = 8:30
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Virginia is for Sudoku Lovers (Note: This puzzle was the final puzzle for this year’s Arlington Puzzle Festival. Congratulations to Erik Agard, Carolyn Offutt, and Jim Spaulding for their 1st/2nd/3rd performance in the tournament.)
Answer String: Enter the 1st row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th row from left to right.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 3:30, Expert = 7:00
Solution: PDF
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.
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: Hidden
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 Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 0:45, Master = 1:00, Expert = 2:00
Solution: PDF
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Easy Logic
Rules: Standard Cross the Streams rules.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments from top to bottom for the marked columns, going in order from A to B to C to D and separating each entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:45, Master = 2:30, Expert = 5:00
Solution: PDF
