Killer Kropki Cages sequel
(Published on 28. March 2023, 06:45 by Ryx)
This puzzle was created for the March 2023 Monthly Puzzle Prompt on the CTC Community Discord server. It is the sequel to my own personal favorite puzzle (Killer Kropki Circles) that I have created, despite it getting only 3 (when I was writing this) solves (and oddly more observes, with 4) on LMG. I attribute that to something I call "The Phistomefel Effect", where an otherwise promising puzzle gets very few solves, due to it being released just prior to a Phistomefel release, which (rightfully so) gathers most of the attention of prospective solvers. It's just my own pet theory ;-)
Anyhow, it was my favorite because I thought the logic needed for the break-in was very unique. This puzzle features a very similar break-in, but as any good sequel should be, this one is better. I say that because it addresses the two things that I was not completely satisfied with in the previous puzzle:
- Need for given digits
- Need for a single two-cell Palindrome, which felt a bit out of place
Normal sudoku rules apply
Killer Cages - numbers may not repeat in a cage. Digits in the cage sum to the cage totals, to be discovered by the solver
Kropki (variant)
- White dots indicate a difference of one between adjoining digits AND adjoining cages
- Black dots indicate a ratio of 1:2 between adjoining digits AND adjoining cages
- All such dots are given
Play on F-puzzles
Play on CTC
Solution code: Digits from Row 3, then column 8
Comments
on 7. April 2023, 02:09 by Ryx
Ironically, given my pet theory, I didn't notice that Phistomefel had released a puzzle the day before I released this one ;-)
Ironischerweise habe ich angesichts meiner Lieblingstheorie nicht bemerkt, dass Phistomefel am Tag vor der Veröffentlichung dieses Rätsels ein neues Rätsel veröffentlicht hat ;-)
on 30. March 2023, 00:04 by nunc
Wonderful puzzle. Maths comes in handy :-) The end solves nicely with the negative constraints.
@ nunc - Yes, this one starts off heavy on the Maths ;-) I'm glad you enjoyed the ending. I was pleasantly surprised myself, in setting at that point, when I found that finished off the puzzle.
on 29. March 2023, 11:59 by bodemeister
I enjoyed solving your puzzle. Thank you! I was maybe lucky and found a left edge cell early. From there everything fell nicely into place. 3/5 difficulty for me. I look forward to solving more of your puzzles!
@ bodemeister - I am glad you enjoyed it. It may be more skill than luck, on the left edge ... that is where I always found the start of the solve.
I have another, very different, puzzle I will be publishing in a few days. Until then, you could look "backward" at some of my previous ones. A couple similar ones, with killer cages (Serial Killer/s and if you like palindromes, Among Us is a good one):
https://logic-masters.de/Raetselportal/Benutzer/eingestellt.php?name=Ryx
Thanks for solving and the kind words.
@Ryx I just got them on my observed list! You're also welcome to look at my puzzles. My favorites are A Blind Killer and Counterclockwise Killer.
@ bodemeister - Sorry, I missed your edit earlier (was out of town). I do typically check the user page for everyone that solves my puzzles, looking to reciprocate. I didn't see your published puzzles initially, as I was focused on rated puzzles. I am giving the two you mentioned a try ... and finding them very difficult
on 28. March 2023, 19:31 by GorgeousNicko
Beautiful puzzle. The hardest I have ever managed to solve. Very satisfying!
@ GorgeousNicko - thank you for the input. Yeah, solving seems to be more art than science sometimes. I guess this puzzle falls more on the "sciencey" side ;-) I am glad you enjoyed it.
on 28. March 2023, 19:06 by Al Fresco
Really nice puzzle. Using the kropki dots for cages and digits works very well. Thanks for setting :)
@ Al Fresco - You are most welcome and Thank you for the feedback. I am glad you appreciated the kropki constraints, it was very challenging to set, both initially and in this sequel.
on 28. March 2023, 17:55 by peter.rietmann
Lots of math in this one, excellent puzzle. Watch out for negative constraints !! :) Thanks Ryx !!
@ peter.rietmann - Thank you for the feedback. I am glad you enjoyed it.
