Variant Sudoku 101: Exam #1
(Eingestellt am 26. Dezember 2025, 00:19 Uhr von PhoenixAki)
Time for your first exam! Similar to the quizzes, this features multiple rules all at play together, this time using all 4 rules introduced so far. Some of them interact with each other in similar yet unique ways, which I tried to showcase here. Check the solution video if you need a hint on how to finish up the solve, since the last step is easy to miss. Good luck!
- Normal sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-9 in each row, column, and 3x3 box without repetition.
- Dynamic Fog: The grid is partially covered in grey fog. Placing correct digits will clear the fog, at minimum under that cell and sometimes in other parts of the grid. No guessing is required.
- Killer Cages: Digits in dotted-line cages must sum to the number in the top left corner of the cage.
- Kropki Pairs: Digits separated by a black dot must have one digit be double the other (a 2:1 ratio). Digits separated by a white dot must be consecutive.
- German Whispers: Adjacent digits on a green line must have a difference of at least 5.
- Renban: Digits placed on purple lines must be a non-repeating set of consecutive digits in any order.
Visual impairment friendly version: here. This version has text abbreviations specifying which clue is which rule. RB for renban, GW for German whisper.
To increase accessibility to my puzzles, I post solution videos on on my YouTube channel. If you'd like to solve this in your own video, go ahead! But ideally, let me know here or via Discord (same username) if you do ^.^
Lösungscode: box 4's digits in normal reading order (left to right, top to bottom). 9 digits.
Kommentare
am 6. Januar 2026, 05:16 Uhr von PhoenixAki
Updated post as part of an effort to improve consistency of rule phrasing and post layout across all my puzzles. I also included a link to a second version of the puzzle that's more accessible to solvers with visual impairments such as colorblindness.
am 4. Januar 2026, 19:04 Uhr von Prezombie
Nice puzzle to break into, but the hidden singles made finishing it a chore.
am 27. Dezember 2025, 17:01 Uhr von James Moriarty
Thank you for the puzzle.
Very clever logic in the boxes initially revealed. For an easier puzzle, some of the logic is not trivial.
am 27. Dezember 2025, 14:22 Uhr von Ndstripes
Lovely little solve, great use of dynamic fog of war, incredibly satisfying!!
am 26. Dezember 2025, 22:36 Uhr von Plok
Wow, great puzzle. Loved the flow guided by the dynamic fog
am 26. Dezember 2025, 03:40 Uhr von damasosos92
This puzzle was beautiful. Perfect use of the dynamic fog and the basic concepts. 9 minutes of fun!
am 26. Dezember 2025, 01:32 Uhr von YoooDeej
I'm ready for Exam #2!
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PhoenixAki: I was a professor for a few years and this is the first time I've ever had someone be *excited* for an exam LOL
am 26. Dezember 2025, 01:06 Uhr von michael_787
Lol... how often did the fog lift and reveal new information? Was it twice? Clever!
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PhoenixAki: Yeah, this is an example of a puzzle where the fog is mostly there to help show where to look next and not necessarily to have it be part of the logic. I considered removing it, but if I did, the final set of clues that reveal themselves would make one of the early steps a bit trivial, so I opted to keep the fog.
am 26. Dezember 2025, 01:04 Uhr von wuc
Very nice smooth 1*. One bump on one a hidden single kept it from very smooth. Great fun thx.
