RAT RUN 27: Productivity
(Eingestellt am 25. Februar 2026, 01:01 Uhr von marty_sears)
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- AIM OF EXPERIMENT: Finkz and Phinx must both reach different cupcakes by finding a path through the maze. The paths must not visit any cell more than once, share cells, cross themselves or each other, or pass through any thick maze walls.
- As well as moving orthogonally, they may move diagonally if there's a 2x2 space in which to do so, but may never pass diagonally through a round wall-spot on the corner of a cell.
- GOLDENBERRIES: If two digits are joined by a goldenberry, they are NOT consecutive.
- TEST CONSTRAINT: In this experiment, both paths are divided into segments by 3x3 box borders. Along a path, the digits on each segment have the same product (the result of multiplying the digits on the segment together.) This product may be different for Finkz and Phinx. Note: if a segment contains only one cell, that digit is considered to be the product.
Lösungscode: Digits not visited by either rat in row 3, from left to right
Kommentare
am 24. März 2026, 22:29 Uhr von DaniK
Beautiful puzzle!
am 4. März 2026, 15:57 Uhr von docpayce
This was HARD for me to be perfectly honest. But I was really pleasently surprised how limiting the seemingly inconspicuous rules actually were. Never would have thought that those would be able to solve an empty (no numbers) puzzle.
am 1. März 2026, 05:36 Uhr von MikeMeech
Loved it as always!
am 1. März 2026, 02:11 Uhr von darkgently
As a maths lover, I didn't think this was harder than the usual Rat Run standard, but can see why others would. Poor Finkz getting trolled by the cupcake right next to her!
am 28. Februar 2026, 20:01 Uhr von Vionix
Very nice!
am 28. Februar 2026, 14:21 Uhr von nunc
I'm not sure who is the lab rat here... I guess it's us solvers. Thanks a lot for this one!
am 27. Februar 2026, 21:46 Uhr von Klausku
That was not easy, but not the hardest Rat Run puzzle so far. 2 hours of pure fun for me. Brilliantly constructed, again. Thanks Marty!
am 27. Februar 2026, 21:25 Uhr von DonQuichopp
Hard but for a 4* actually quite approachable for me. It was quite easy to break in and then i struggled for a long time, then it continued well and then struggled again. After having solved a few boxes, then it flowed really nicely.
Thanks for another wonderful rat run puzzle. I am already sad that it'll come to an end soon ;-(
am 27. Februar 2026, 18:03 Uhr von monsen
This was so fun. It was hard, but just as with the rest of the puzzles in this series, the difficulty is with the entire puzzle, not just some hard to find break-in, you never feel just stuck.
am 27. Februar 2026, 15:59 Uhr von KelleyCook
Very different and really hard. Many, many hours later, with numerous backtracks.
I don't think I've ever completed a puzzle this hard.
am 27. Februar 2026, 12:11 Uhr von Rab3aron
Amazing puzzle! 4* for me
am 27. Februar 2026, 05:05 Uhr von earthpuzzles
Never did learn my times tables, and likely never will, but fortunately algebra came to my rescue and this puzzle was an enjoyable solve!
Looking forward to the next one :)
am 26. Februar 2026, 22:37 Uhr von wuc
Home ground for math lovers. To me rather 3*. For once I tend to an easier vote than others. Another masterpiece anyway thx.
am 26. Februar 2026, 18:38 Uhr von Asparagus
This is an excellent puzzle, particularly the subtle way the two paths interacted. It was a joy to solve.
I am fairly certain that the goldenberry in Block 3 is not necessary, but am delighted that Finkz (or Phinx) is given an unexpected treat!
Marty: I'm fairly certain it is needed. The puzzle has 7 solutions without it. Glad you enjoyed :)
Thanks Marty! I've found the mistake I made.
am 26. Februar 2026, 03:15 Uhr von tallcat
This one foxed me more than the others - a nice start and then a brick wall to work through. But no less enjoyable for it.
am 25. Februar 2026, 23:59 Uhr von davidz32z
Definitely the hardest rat run yet! I find product puzzles a bit trying, but the charm of this one and the path finding really carried me through. Still so fun and I adore these rats <3
am 25. Februar 2026, 20:49 Uhr von crosslegged
Another awesome rat run. Took a while to get used to the product restraint, but after the first few steps, the logic started to flow
am 25. Februar 2026, 20:20 Uhr von blackjackfitz
Huzzah!
am 25. Februar 2026, 19:54 Uhr von Nairurian
Very fun, but considering I’m really bad at maths, it definitely wasn’t smooth for me (it took me over 2h).
am 25. Februar 2026, 19:32 Uhr von vitaminz
Surprised and delighted to get a puzzle like this from you. Like I imagine of the rats, I often felt trapped, finding no obvious way to make progress. But with some determination I was able to get to proverbial cupcake.
am 25. Februar 2026, 16:11 Uhr von GeorgeTheToad2
Not too hard for a mathematician but very enjoyable.
am 25. Februar 2026, 13:59 Uhr von Tortugo
I was feeling pretty smug having solved one path in about 15 minutes; not so smug almost an hour later having made almost no more progress.
Great puzzle as always.
am 25. Februar 2026, 13:53 Uhr von Franjo
Figuring out how the second path could work was quite challenging, but I enjoyed solving this puzzle so much! So, again thank you so much for creating and sharing another beautiful episode.
am 25. Februar 2026, 13:20 Uhr von mscha
Difficulty: 2 stars. For Phinx.
4 stars for Finkz.
Very nice, of course; that is a given for a Rat Run. :-)
am 25. Februar 2026, 11:26 Uhr von Christounet
My brain experienced a productivity failure while I was trying to process the factors options. Until I eventually recovered and asked the right questions. Enjoyed the workout! Thanks :)
am 25. Februar 2026, 05:53 Uhr von antiknight
Amazing and surprising deductions in this one! Great puzzle
am 25. Februar 2026, 04:25 Uhr von halfcentaur
Another outstanding addition to the greatest Sudoku series of all time! This was challenging, lots of math with the factors, but the logic flows beautifully.
am 25. Februar 2026, 03:53 Uhr von ArmagedDan
I usually struggle a bit with these ones, but I found the break-in pretty much straight away. Very nice puzzle, love the way the paths were pushed through the maze.
am 25. Februar 2026, 03:32 Uhr von chinesemaster
One tricky point mid-solve, the rest is smooth like butter! Thanks so much for yet another brilliancy!
am 25. Februar 2026, 02:45 Uhr von QuiltyAsCharged
This chapter is understated, with open spaces and much for the solver to discover. A good and robust challenge!
am 25. Februar 2026, 02:45 Uhr von Atticus837
Found this one harder than most, but it's a really interesting one. Lots of mental work on the factors to find the ways the lines can multiply out.
I'm earlier to this one than usual too it seems...
Great puzzle!
am 25. Februar 2026, 01:03 Uhr von sujoyku
I found this one very hard, but what a fantastic challenge it was. Thank you for this superb puzzle, Marty!
