WSC 2025 Preparation - The Patchwork Challenge
(Eingestellt am 28. September 2025, 15:13 Uhr von Niverio)
Rules:
This puzzle consists of 9 incomplete Sudokus, each with numbers given in only three regions, marked with a gray background. In addition, solvers receive 54 extra patchwork pieces of 6 different types.
The task is to fill the empty regions of the 9 Sudokus in such a way that each of the 6 types appears exactly once in every puzzle, ensuring that all 9 Sudokus have a unique solution.
The positions of the patchwork pieces are uniquely determined by the borders drawn on the edges, each piece can only be placed in its designated position within a puzzle, without rotation or reflection. This also means that the 9 Sudokus each contain the same type of element, but in different positions.
You can find a full explanation and example grid pictures at the WSC instruction booklet.
Puzzle Link: You can solve the puzzle in Penpa+. The link will yield a URI too long error, open a new Penpa+ page and copy the long version of the link in Penpa+'s Load tab to access the puzzle.
Patchwork Piece Rules:
Patchwork A: Relation
Fill the grid with the digits 1 to 9, each used exactly once, so that all given inequality signs are satisfied.
Patchwork B: Inside Kropki
Digits separated by a white kropki dot are consecutive. Digits separated by a black kropki dot are in a 1:2 ratio. All possible dots within each 3x3 region are given, and the dot between 1 and 2 can either be white or black.
Patchwork C: Killer
The sum of the numbers in each cage must equal the value given in the upper-left corner of a cage.
Patchwork D: Math
In each region 4 integers are given, representing the sum, difference, product or quotient of two adjacent cells. Each of the four operations appear exactly once.
Patchwork E: Inside Square
A square marks any two adjacent digits that, read left-to-right or top-to-bottom, form a two-digit square number (16, 25, 36 and so on). Within each region, all possible squares are given.
Patchwork F: Inside Next-to
If a cell contains the digit N and has an arrow, then the digit N+1 must appear in one of the cells indicated by the arrow within the same 3x3 region (not necessarily adjacent to the arrow cell.) Not all possible arrows are shown.
Lösungscode: Row 8 of all grids in reading order (left to right, top to bottom), separate each sequence of 9 digits with -.
Kommentare
am 8. Oktober 2025, 19:51 Uhr von Da Letter El
went wrong multiple times and had to start over 3 times but finally got through.
really fun journey
am 5. Oktober 2025, 15:57 Uhr von Playmaker6174
@Dragonslayer: I believe you're onto the right tracks with your prior deductions, there's actually another possible option for that box in the first grid.
am 4. Oktober 2025, 07:54 Uhr von Playmaker6174
[Honestly I suggest printing the entire thing out and cutting off the pieces, and then solving like an actual jigsaw-like puzzle. If one really wants to try the entire thing online like me then...]
Since the main solving link wasn't compatible with my solving setup, I made two smaller links here - one for the main grid only and one for the patchwork pieces.
Couldn't tell if this was easier or harder than trying the main link, but at least I could finish my solve on these two links xD
- Main grid: https://tinyurl.com/2byh5dmz
- Patchwork pieces: https://tinyurl.com/257lgh3z
am 4. Oktober 2025, 07:48 Uhr von Playmaker6174
Wow, that was an epic journey with full of eye-opening moments!
I definitely was one of those insane people that attempted to solve this alone by myself (since getting 3 more friends to be interested of this project in real life is basically not viable); even though it took a long while to match the pieces and I even thought I broke the entire thing at some points, it was certainly a worthwhile solve and I was super happy when I finally finished the last grid there.
Thanks for this masterfully crafted project, you crazy genius xD
am 2. Oktober 2025, 21:16 Uhr von goodcity
Wow, that was an incredible puzzle, really tough but super satisfying to solve! I can't imagine what it takes to create something like this and how fun it would be to do a groupsolve.
am 2. Oktober 2025, 21:15 Uhr von Niverio
One clue was missing from E4 patchwork piece.
am 2. Oktober 2025, 10:45 Uhr von Niverio
Fixed the puzzle link and images as there was a clue I typo'd while transcribing from pen and paper to Penpa+, my biggest apologies if anyone tried to solve the typo'd version!
