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This is a place chosen to make available some ideas (on puzzles, patterns, etc)

that seemed unsuitable for posting in a Forum, but some people may find interesting.

For difficult puzzles (like the next one), possible solutions will not be shown (only hints).

For other puzzles, the solution wil be hidden so that a serious attempt can be made

without direct access to a solution.

(hopefully this will make the puzzles more interesting for newcomers).

Puzzles

Puzzle #1 (Classic 9x9 Sudoku (SER = 8.4); Proposed Feb 12, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku Puzzle (SER = 8.4) was generated in April, 2021

using HoDoKu for a training practice with als/ahs.

I solved it (manually) in two main steps

(i.e., apart from moves with scope in a single house - the "basics").

SER = 8.4

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

After performing the basics, find non-basic moves that solve this puzzle.

Hint After performing all basic eliminations, write all condidates
.--------------------------------------------------------------.
| 126    1269   5     | 4     79   3   | 8      179     1279   |
| 123    8      234   | 159   579  6   | 12479  134579  123579 |
| 7      1349   34    | 1589  2    58  | 6      13459   1359   |
|---------------------+----------------+-----------------------|
| 28     24     1     | 59    48   7   | 3      6       59     |
| 68     5      678   | 3     89   1   | 79     2       4      |
| 9      347    347   | 6     45   2   | 17     157     8      |
|---------------------+----------------+-----------------------|
| 13568  1367   9     | 2     36   458 | 147    13478   137    |
| 2358   237    2378  | 578   1    458 | 2479   34789   6      |
| 4      12367  23678 | 78    36   9   | 5      1378    1237   |
'--------------------------------------------------------------'
    
and

(a) look at the pattern of 2s to get some eliminations,

(b) Now, study carefully boxes 1 (top-left) and 4 (middle-left).

A very strong Sudoku player found a great solution in one step.

(items (a),(b) are for a solution in two steps)

Puzzle #2 (9x9 Jigsaw Sudoku Puzzle (SER=8.0); Proposed Feb 18, 2024)

The following Jigsaw Sudoku Puzzle was generated in Feb, 2024

using 1to9only new release of SudokuExplainer.

The puzzle is rated SER = 8.0, and it can be solved (manually) in

four main steps.

SER = 8.0

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

HintAfter basics (and having listed all candidates in each cell), find an UR, then an X-chain, and two wings.

Puzzle #3 (5x5 Latin Squares Puzzle (SER = 8.3); Proposed Feb 21, 2024)

The following 5x5 Latin Squares Puzzle (generated with SudokuExplainer)

is rated SER = 8.3, and can be solved (manually) in four main steps.

SER = 8.3

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

Hint (updated!)

(columns counted from left to right and rows from top to bottom)

First write all candidates in each cell.

Step 1: We can eliminate 3 from r2c4 using a sequence of bivalued cells.

The configuration for this is:

,-------------------------,
| 23   13   5    123  4   | 
| 1    345  24   235  23  | 
| 34   2    14   13   5   | 
| 245  145  3    125  12  | 
| 235  135  12   4    123 | Latin squares
'-------------------------'
    

Step 2: the harder part! (the reason for that SE rating).

,---------------------,
| 23  13  5   123 4   | 
| 1   345 24  25  23  | 
| 34  2   14  13  5   | 
| 245 145 3   125 12  | 
| 235 135 12  4   123 | Latin squares
'---------------------'
    

The suggestion is to study carefully the grid (above)

and try to find a way to show that 2 is false at that same cell r2c4.

If Step 2 is done, the puzzle can be solved in two more moves.

For step 3, the configuration is:

,-------------------------,
| 23   13   5    123  4   |
| 1    34   24   5    23  |
| 34   2    14   13   5   |
| 45   45   3    12   12  |
| 235  135  12   4    123 | Latin squares
'-------------------------'
    

For the last move, there is a pretty, simple idea! (see configuration below)

,---------------------,
| 2   13  5   13  4   |5
| 1   34  24  5   23  |4
| 34  2   14  13  5   |3
| 45  45  3   2   1   |2
| 35  135 12  4   23  |1  Latin squares
'---------------------'
  a   b   c   d   e
    

Puzzle #4 (proposed Mar 8, 2024)

Write a detailed solution to the following interesting 6x6 Slitherlink puzzle:

(From Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection)

6x6 hard Slitherlink puzzle

Hint

This puzzle (rated hard) can be solved (manually) in 12 steps using well-known patterns.

The start (4 steps) uses well-known patterns. Other two patterns are proposed as Problems.

The idea of writing out a detailed solution path is to break the solution into n parts

where each part is a well-identified pattern (some are shown in Problems below) that can be

used in other puzzles (and hopefully has a short and elegant proof).

Puzzle #5 (proposed Mar 11, 2024)

Write a detailed solution to the following hard 5x5 Hidoku puzzle:

5x5 Hidato puzzle (hard)

(Found recently by Albert.Lang)

I found an interesting reasonably simple and short (manual) solution to this puzzle

and for this reason I decided to propose it here.

(the restrictive rule of including the first and last digits in the givens is waived)

Hint

This pattern has the smallest number of clues for a 5x5 Hidoku with unique solution.

.-----------------------.
|.    .    .    6    .  |5
|                       |
|.    .   *7    .    13 |4
|                       |
|.   *8    x    .    .  |3
|                       |
|9    .    .    .    .  |2
|                       |
|.    .    .    .    .  |1
'-----------------------'
 a    b    c    d    e
   

After the forced start, the possible values for x are very limited. For instance, for x=11, we must have

a1=25,b1=24 and the connection of 13 to 24 demands 10 cells, but placing 12 will destroy any possible way.

Puzzle #6 (proposed Mar 31, 2024)

After basics, find a move that solves this Classic Sudoku puzzle ("three waves", SER = 7.2):

Classic Sudoku (SER = 7.2)

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

This puzzle was found with Sudoku Architect when I was playing around with waves.

Hint
.-------------------------------------------------------.
| 3     19    5    | 169   4    7    | 2     169    8   |
| 2679  4     169  | 1369  8    2369 | 1379  5      167 |
| 2679  129   8    | 5     169  2369 | 1379  13679  4   |
|------------------+-----------------+------------------|
| 48    6     34   | 7     5    1    | 38    2      9   |
| 1     79    2    | 689   3    689  | 4     67     5   |
| 5     3789  39   | 2     69   4    | 1378  1367   167 |
|------------------+-----------------+------------------|
| 49    5     1349 | 139   7    39   | 6     8      2   |
| 2689  1289  7    | 1689  169  5    | 19    4      3   |
| 689   1389  1369 | 4     2    3689 | 5     179    17  |
'-------------------------------------------------------'
    
Look for a fish in the digit 6 !

Puzzle #7 (proposed April 20, 2024)

After basics, this Classic Sudoku puzzle (SER = 8.3) can be solved in just two non-basic steps:

Classic Sudoku (SER = 8.3)

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

This puzzle was found with Sudoku Architect.

HintThere is a solution in two steps:
.------------------------------------------------------------.
|  1     4     59    | 67    2     8     | 56    79    3     |
|  2735  6     35    | 4     9     17    | 15    8     27    |
|  279   79    8     | 5     3     16    | 16    4     279   |
|--------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
|  356   8     1356  | 1367  1567  4     | 9     2     17    |
|  569   159   7     | 8     156   2     | 3     15    4     |
|  35    2     4     | 1379  157   579   | 8     157   6     |
|--------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
|  4     1379  169   | 1679  8     679   | 2     1369  5     |
|  5679  1579  1569  | 2     1567  3     | 4     169   8     |
|  8     1359  2     | 169   4     569   | 7     1369  19    |
'------------------------------------------------------------'
    
1) a nice UR (unique rectangle), 2) a symmetrical chain with 4 strong links.

Puzzle #8 (proposed Jun 9, 2024)

After some hard work, I solved (manually) the following 7x7 tough Slitherlink puzzle.

I hope that, by proposing it here, someone will have as much fun as I had solving it.

(From Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection)

7x7 tough Slitherlink puzzle

HintThe 3-1-1-3 pattern
  x    
  1 3
_   _
3 1
  x
    
helps to develop the upper-right part of this puzzle (see Para's puzzle site)

Puzzle #9 (proposed Jul 15, 2024)

The following tough 7x7 Slitherlink puzzle has two blank rows and almost no standard patterns.

It was fun to find a way to solve it in a few steps.

(Interesting puzzle from the site www.themissingdocs.net)

7x7 extreme Slitherlink puzzle

Hint Grouping easy moves, this puzzle is solvable in 5 main steps. After two steps I got this
.-------------------------------.
| . x . x . x .   .   .   . x . |
| x 0 x   x         1 X       x |
| . x . x . X .   .   .   . x . |
| x   x 0 x 1       2     x 0 x |
| .   . x .   .   .   . x . x . |
|                         x   x |
| . X .   .   .   .   .___.___. |
|   1         x     1 x 1 x   | |
| .   .   . x .___. x . x . x . |
|   2   3     | 3     x 0 x 1 | |
| .   .   .   .   .___. x . x . |
|                 x   |   x   | |
| .   .   .   . x . x .___. x . |
| | 3   2         x 0 x 2 |   | |
| .___.   .   . x . x . x .___. |
'-------------------------------'
    
The next two steps (not shown) allow a quick finish.

Puzzle #10 (proposed Jul 17, 2024)

The following tough 7x7 Slitherlink is my first puzzle.

It was a lot of fun to create it full of patterns.

7x7 tough Slitherlink puzzle

Hint Grouping easy moves, this puzzle is solvable in 5 main steps. My step 1 finishes at this configuration
.-------------------------------.
| .   .   .   .___. x .___. x . |
|     | 3 |       | 3 | 3 |   x |
| . x .   .   . x .___. x .   . |
|   2       1     x 2 x     2   |
| .___.   .   .   .___.   .   . |
|   3       1       2       2 | |
| .___. x .   .   .   .   .   . |
|   3           3   2     | 3   |
| .___.   .   .   .   . x .___. |
|   2           2   2     x 2   |
| .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . |
|   2       2       2       2   |
| .   .   . x .   .   .   .   . |
|       3 | 1 x 1   2   2       |
| .   .___. x . x .   .   .   . |
'-------------------------------'
    
In the next steps (not shown), I used twice the argument that the number of lines in a row/column must be even.

Puzzle #11 (proposed Aug 2, 2024)

The following puzzle is my first 9x9 Hashi puzzle.

9x9 Hashi puzzle

Hint
,-----------------------------------,
|         2       4           1     | 9 
|                                   | 
| 2           1       2           2 | 8 
|                                   | 
|     3           3                 | 7 
|                                   | 
|                                   | 6
|                                   | 
|     2               4       3     | 5
|                                   | 
| 4       4       4       2         | 4
|                                   | 
|                                   | 3
|                                   | 
| 1       2       3           2     | 2
|                                   | 
|     2                           3 | 1   JCO#1 (9x9 Hashi)
'-----------------------------------'
  a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h   i
    

(3)i1,(3)b7,(4)a4 are good places to start.

The sequence of inferences follow without obstruction,

leading quickly to

,-----------------------------------,
|        *2*=====*4*---------*1*    | 9 
|                 |                 | 
|*2*---------*1*  |  *2*---------*2*| 8 
| |               |   |           | | 
| |  *3*=========*3*  |           | | 7 
| |   |               |           | | 
| |   |               |           | | 6
| |   |               |           | | 
| |   2*-------------*4*=====*3*  | | 5
| |                           |   | | 
|*4*=====*4*-----*4*=====*2*  |   | | 4
| |       |       |           |   | | 
| |       |       |           |   | | 3
| |       |       |           |   | | 
|*1*     *2*-----*3*---------*2*  | | 2
|                                 | | 
|    *2*=========================*3*| 1
'-----------------------------------'
  a   b   c   d   e   f   g   h   i
    

Puzzle #12 (proposed Aug 6, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 7.3; found with Sudoku Architect)

is a tough puzzle! With careful analysis, it can be solved in a few steps,

revealing interesting structures forming its foundations.

Classic Sudoku

Hint

There is a solution in 3 steps. The first step is complex and only boxes 1,7 do not take part.

,--------------------------------------------------------,
| 8     4      1279  | 6     17  157   | 239   125   2359|
| 127   5      127   | 3     9   178   | 4     128   6   |
| 3     169    169   | 158   2   4     | 89    7     59  |
|--------------------+-----------------+-----------------|
| 1279  12679  4     | 179   3   1679  | 5     26    8   |
| 1279  38     12679 | 1789  5   16789 | 2367  4     23  |
| 57    38     567   | 2     4   678   | 367   9     1   |
|--------------------+-----------------+-----------------|
| 4     1279   3     | 1579  8  (2)1579| 269  (25)6 (25)9|
| 259   29     8     | 4     6  (2)59  | 1     3     7   |
| 6     1279   12579 | 1579  17  3     | 289   258   4   |
'--------------------------------------------------------'
    

The key idea is to notice the strong link (2)r7c6 = (2)r8c6 and the almost naked pair(25)r7c89,

with spoilers (6)r7c8, (9)r7c9. After the resulting key elimination we get 4 placements.

Step 2 is easier and the key idea starts with (5)r9c5=(5)r9c8.

,------------------------------------------------------,
| 8    4     1279 |  6     17  157   | 239   125   2359|
| 12   5     127  |  3     9   178   | 4     128   6   |
| 3    169   169  |  158   2   4     | 89    7     59  |
|-----------------+------------------+-----------------|
| 129  126   4    |  179   3   1679  | 5     26    8   |
| 129  38    126  |  189   5   1689  | 7     4     23  |
| 7    38    5    |  2     4   68    | 36    9     1   |
|-----------------+------------------+-----------------|
| 4    1279  3    |  1579  8   12579 | 269   256   259 |
| 5    29    8    |  4     6   29    | 1     3     7   |
| 6    1279  129  | (5)179 17  3     | 289  (5)28  4   |
'------------------------------------------------------'
    

Boxes 1,4,5 and 7 are not used in this second step and the resulting elimination gives

7 placements, weakening severely the puzzle. A chain with 4 strong links finishes it.

Can you find it ?

,---------------------------------------------,
| 8    4   129 | 6    7  5    | 239  12   239 |
| 12   5   7   | 3    9  18   | 4    128  6   |
| 3    69  169 | 18   2  4    | 89   7    5   |
|--------------+--------------+---------------|
| 19   26  4   | 179  3  179  | 5    26   8   |
| 129  38  126 | 189  5  1689 | 7    4    23  |
| 7    38  5   | 2    4  68   | 36   9    1   |
|--------------+--------------+---------------|
| 4    1   3   | 579  8  279  | 269  256  29  |
| 5    29  8   | 4    6  29   | 1    3    7   |
| 6    7   29  | 59   1  3    | 289  258  4   |
'---------------------------------------------'
    

Puzzle #13 (proposed Sept 16, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 7.1; found with Sudoku Architect)

is an interesting puzzle, with many patterns. How to solve it ?

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

.---------------------------------------------------.
| 6      249     1249 | 49   89  5 | 7     138  38  |
| 47     8       479  | 479  3   1 | 6     5    2   |
| 157    57      3    | 6    78  2 | 4     18   9   |
|---------------------+------------+----------------|
| 57     1       6    | 2    79  3 | 589   4    578 |
| 8      23579   279  | 579  6   4 | 2359  379  1   |
| 23457  234579  2479 | 579  1   8 | 2359  6    357 |
|---------------------+------------+----------------|
| 9      6       8    | 3    5   7 | 1     2    4   |
| 347    347     5    | 1    2   9 | 38    378  6   |
| 1237   237     127  | 8    4   6 | 359   379  357 |
'---------------------------------------------------'
    

I found a solution in 3 steps.

Step 1 is an ALS-xz move that eliminates (8)r1c9 [3 placements].

Step 2 is a wing that was not available before step 1.

The final step is a bit complex (wing-related, very pretty!)

and becomes possible by the key elimination made in step 2.

Puzzle #14 (proposed Sept 19, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 7.3; found with Sudoku Architect)

has a slightly higher rating than #13, but in my view it is a lot easier to solve.

How ?

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

.------------------------------------------------------------.
| 1    4    6   | 5      3      2      | 8      9      7     |
| 9    2    5   | 7      8      14     | 6      134    13    |
| 3    8    7   | 46     9      146    | 124    5      12    |
|---------------+----------------------+---------------------|
| 4    19   8   | 3      7      5      | 129    6      129   |
| 7    3    12  | 2468   246    9      | 145    148    158   |
| 6    5    29  | 1      24     48     | 7      348    389   |
|---------------+----------------------+---------------------|
| 58   6    19  | 289    125    3      | 159    7      4     |
| 58   7    3   | 4689   1456   468    | 159    2      15689 |
| 2    19   4   | 689    156    7      | 3      18     15689 |
'------------------------------------------------------------'
    

I have found a solution in two steps. In the first step, I used an ALS

in column 6 within a chain (with 6 strong links) to show that 5 is false at r9c9.

After this, there are at least two wings that finish the puzzle.

Puzzle #15 (proposed Sept 29, 2024)

The following tough Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 8.3; found with Sudoku Architect)

has a solution in two steps that requires considerable work analyzing the puzzle.

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

.--------------------------------------------------------------------.
| 23567  2367   2369   | 469    479    1      | 267    25679  8      |
| 1267   8      4      | 69     5      679    | 3      12679  279    |
| 1567   167    69     | 2      3      8      | 1467   15679  4579   |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 2367   2367   236    | 359    29     4      | 8      3569   1      |
| 48     5      1      | 389    6      79     | 247    2379   23479  |
| 48     9      236    | 1      278    57     | 467    3567   3457   |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 1269   1246   7      | 45689  1489   569    | 12     1238   23     |
| 126    1246   5      | 468    148    3      | 9      1278   27     |
| 139    13     8      | 7      19     2      | 5      4      6      |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

For the first move, search for a Sue de Coq!

(SDCs are elusive, so look carefully at boxes 5 and 6)

The second move is harder: only two boxes are not involved.

(ALS(193)r9c25 and ALS(2379)r5c678 take part in this powerful move)

Puzzle #16 (proposed Oct 13, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 7.1; found with Sudoku Architect)

has a nice solution in one step.

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

.-----------------------------------------------------------.
| 1     238   238   | 6     7     9     | 4     23    5     |
| 45    29    7     | 45    3     8     | 6     29    1     |
| 459   369   3456  | 2     1     45    | 8     39    7     |
|-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
| 7     4     9     |(35)   8     6     | 235   1     23    |
| 8     123   123   | 1359 (59)   7     | 359   6     4     |
| 6     5     13    | 1349  2     34    | 39    7     8     |
|-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
| 2     689   68    | 379   4     1     | 37    5     369   |
| 459   19    145   | 3579  6     235   | 1237  8     239   |
| 3     7     156   | 8     59    25    | 12    4     269   |
'-----------------------------------------------------------'
    

ALS(359) (shown above) participates in a powerful move that essentially solves the puzzle.

Puzzle #17 (proposed Oct 26, 2024)

I have battled with a nice Slitherlink puzzle (hard) from Simon Tatham's collection.

Slitherlink puzzle

Hint

I have found a solution in 4 main steps: one can make good progress at the start,

using the two 3s at the corners, the sole "0" and that one cannot have

a line between 1 and 2 in column "g", etc. This start leads to

a long sequence of forced moves.

.-------------------------------.
| .   .   .   .   .   .___.___. |
|       2         | 3       3 | |
| .   .   .   . x .___.   .___. |
|       1   2   1 x           x |
| .   .   .   .   .   .   .___. |
|   2   2           1       3 | |
| .   .   .   .   .   . x .___. |
|               2         |   x |
| .   . x .   .   .   . x .___. |
|   3 | 1 x 1       1 x 0 x 2 | |
| .___. x .   .   . x . x . x . |
|     x 1         | 1 x   x 1 | |
| .   .   .   .___. x .___. x . |
| | 3   2   2     x 2 | 3 |   | |
| .___.   .   .___.___.   .___. |
'-------------------------------'
    a   b   c   d   e   f   g
    

The position above is still part 1 (with basic moves still available).

Later on, in two key configurations, further analysis is needed to advance.

Puzzle #18 (proposed Oct 27, 2024)

The following Classic Sudoku puzzle (SE = 7.3; found with Sudoku Architect)

has an interesting solution in two steps.

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

 ,-----------------------------------------------------------,
 | 19    69    8     | 2     5     7     | 4     3     16    |
 | 25    27    4     | 6     3     1     | 9     8     57    |
 | 15    67    3     | 4     8     9     | 15    2     67    |
 |-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
 | 247   8     257   | 1357  6     245   | 15    9     135   |
 | 479   3     579   | 1579  179   458   | 2     6     158   |
 | 6     29    1     | 35    29    58    | 7     4     358   |
 |-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
 | 3     1     79    | 79    4     6     | 8     5     2     |
 | 8     4     6     | 15    12    25    | 3     7     9     |
 | 279   5     279   | 8     79    3     | 6     1     4     |
 '-----------------------------------------------------------'
    

My first solution had 2 steps:

(i) UR(27)r49c13 using externals to eliminate 7 from r7c4 and from r5c5,

(ii) a simple chain with 5 strong links using (5)r3c7 = (5)r4c7

(eliminates 9 from r1c2)

Then, I noticed a solution in just one step, using

 ,-----------------------------------------------------------,
 | 19    69    8     | 2     5     7     | 4     3     16    |
 | 25    27    4     | 6     3     1     | 9     8     57    |
 | 15    67    3     | 4     8     9     | 1(5)  2     67    |
 |-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
 | 247   8     257   | 1357  6     245   | 1(5)  9     135   |
 | 479   3     579   | 1579  179   458   | 2     6     158   |
 | 6     2-9   1     | 35    29    58    | 7     4     358   |
 |-------------------+-------------------+-------------------|
 | 3     1    (7)9   |(7)9   4     6     | 8     5     2     |
 | 8     4     6     | 15    12    25    | 3     7     9     |
 | 279   5     279   | 8     79    3     | 6     1     4     |
 '-----------------------------------------------------------'
    

the strong links (5)r3c7 = (5)r4c7 and (7)r7c3 = (7)r7c4.

Puzzle #19 (proposed Nov 03, 2024)

I have recently battled with the following tough Classic Sudoku puzzle

(SER = 8.4; found with Sudoku Architect)

Classic Sudoku

Perhaps someone else is also in the mood for such battle.

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

.--------------------------------------------------------------------.
| 9      7      234    | 5      13     8      | 124    146    1246   |
| 268    236    2368   | 4      7      13     | 128    5      9      |
| 1      45     458    | 9      6      2      | 3      47     478    |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 24     234    1      | 7      29     6      | 459    8      345    |
| 5      8      23467  | 1      29     34     | 479    467    3467   |
| 467    346    9      | 8      34     5      | 147    2      13467  |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 478    1      478    | 2      5      9      | 6      3      478    |
| 3      245    2457   | 6      8      14     | 12457  9      12457  |
| 268    9      2568   | 3      14     7      | 258    14     258    |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

After basics, x-wing(1), ALS-xz(column 8, box 3), Kite(4) and ER(3),

one gets the following key configuration:

.--------------------------------------------------------------------.
| 9      7      234    | 5      13     8      | 24     14     6      |
| 268    26     2368   | 4      7      13     | 128    5      9      |
| 1      45     458    | 9      6      2      | 3      7      48     |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 24     234    1      | 7      29     6      | 459    8      345    |
| 5      8      247    | 1      29     34     | 479    6      347    |
| 467    346    9      | 8      34     5      | 147    2      1347   |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 478    1      478    | 2      5      9      | 6      3      478    |
| 3      245    2457   | 6      8      14     | 1457   9      12457  |
| 268    9      2568   | 3      14     7      | 58     14     258    |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

Now there is something interesting (column 1 & box 4).

After the elimination from that step, there is an

x-chain on digit 4 that leads to

,--------------------------------------------------------------------,
| 9      7      23     | 5      13     8      | 24     14     6      |
| 268    26     2368   | 4      7      13     | 12     5      9      |
| 1      45     45     | 9      6      2      | 3      7      8      |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 24     23     1      | 7      29     6      | 459    8      345    |
| 5      8      247    | 1      29     34     | 479    6      347    |
| 467    36     9      | 8      34     5      | 147    2      1347   |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 478    1      478    | 2      5      9      | 6      3      47     |
| 3      45     2457   | 6      8      14     | 1457   9      12457  |
| 26     9      256    | 3      14     7      | 8      14     25     |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

(now rated SE = 7.1).

Puzzle #20 (proposed Nov 13, 2024)

I have found an interesting tough Classic Sudoku puzzle

(SER = 8.3; found with Sudoku Architect)

Classic Sudoku

This puzzle is solvable in two steps.

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

,--------------------------------------------------------------------,
| 267    2567   25     | 3      4      79     | 8      69     1      |
| 9      4      3      | 1      6      8      | 57     257    257    |
| 67     8      1      | 5      2      79     | 39     3469   46     |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 2478   27     248    | 267    9      3      | 4567   1      4567   |
| 5      2379   6      | 27     1      4      | 39     379    8      |
| 1      379   (49)    | 67     8      5      | 2      34679  467    |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 468    56     7      | 48     3      2      | 1      456    9      |
| 248    1      24589  | 489    7      6      | 45     245    3      |
| 3      269    249    | 49     5      1      | 467    8      2467   |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

Hint for solution in two steps: for both steps, study the interaction

between (49)r6c3 and row 4.

Puzzle #21 (proposed Nov 19, 2024)

This classic sudoku puzzle has SER = 8.4 but has a solution in just one step!

(found with Sudoku Architect)

Classic Sudoku

Hint

After basics, the configuration is as follows.

,--------------------------------------------------------------------,
| 2      8      359    | 69     679    4      | 35     137    157    |
| 39     6      1      | 5      79     23     | 2348   23478  2478   |
| 35     7      4      | 13     8      123    | 235    6      9      |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 589    3      589    | 689    469    7      | 1      248    24568  |
| 4      2      5789   | 1689   369    16     | 3568   378    5678   |
| 6      1      78     | 2      34     5      | 9      3478   478    |
|----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
| 138    4      2368   | 7      5      9      | 268    128    1268   |
| 18     9      68     | 346    2      36     | 7      5      1468   |
| 7      5      26     | 46     1      8      | 246    9      3      |
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
    

Find first a solution in two steps. Then, look if they can be

combined in a single step.

Problems

Problem #1

In the game called Slitherlink, show all the details

proving that the following configuration is impossible

Impossible pattern 222x

Hidden solution
Part 1

(My solution has a trivial initial observation, an easy Case 1 and Case 2 divided in two sub-cases)

We analyze the possible outcomes from this configuration but can already discard

all configurations in which the lower "2"-cell has vertical lines, or horizontal lines,

in both edges.

Also, this configuration

.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|           2       
| .   .   .   .   . 
|       2           
| .___.   .   .   . 
| | 2               
|A.   .   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 

and this

.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|           2       
| .   .   .   .   . 
|       2           
| .   .   .   .   . 
|   2 |             
|A.___.   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 

are clearly impossible,

(dead end at corner A).

Part 2

Case 1:

.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|           2       
| .   .   .   .   . 
|       2           
| .___.   .   .   . 
|   2 |             
| .   .   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 
    

Now the following is forced

.-------------------
| .   .___.___.   . 
|         x 2 |     
| .   .___. x .   . 
| |   x 2 |         
| .___. x .   .   . 
|   2 |             
| .   .   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 
    

and this leads to an impossibility in the cell at the corner, reached by three lines.

Part 3 Case 2:
.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|           2       
| .   .   .   .   . 
|       2           
| .   .   .   .   . 
| | 2               
| .___.   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 

The following is a forced move

.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|           2       
| .   .B  .   .   . 
| |     2           
| . x .A  .   .   . 
| | 2 x             
| .___.   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 
Part 3.1

Case 2.1: If a vertical line exists at AB, it forces

.-------------------
| .   .   .   .   . 
|     |     2       
| .C  .   .   .   . 
| |   | 2           
| . x .___.D  .   . 
| | 2 x             
| .___.   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 

and any continuation for the line meeting corner C will create a loop (impossible).

Part 3.2

Case 2.2: the other possibility is to have the edge AB blocked, and then the bottom edge AD

of the "2"-cell in the middle needs to be blocked too, forcing the following configuration to be reached.

.-------------------
| .   .___.___.   . 
|         x 2 |     
| .   .___. x .   . 
| |   x 2 |         
| . x . x .   .   . 
| | 2 x             
| .___.   .   .   . 
| x                 
| .   .   .   .   . 

Now, we have an impossible situation in the cell at the corner, reached by three lines. □


(Using symmetry, the proven result establishes a well-known slitherlink pattern)

Problem #2

The following Jigsaw Sudoku Layout is invalid. Why ?

Invalid JSS Layout

(image created using SudokuExplainer)

In more detail

A Jigsaw Sudoku Layout is invalid if no Latin Squares exist for that Layouts.

Please find a short, yet complete, explanation (no computations involved).

To my knowledge this question was first posed, and subsequently pursued, by Mathimagics.

see this post and this post.

Problem #3

In the configuration below (of a HEX game), it is blue's turn.

Blue has a decisive advantage. How to win ?

HEX problem


Interesting Forums ( in particular, very fond of the NSPF! )



Created: February 12, 2024

Contact: sudo.jco.br@gmail.com