Aimless (nabner arrows)
(Published on 8. November 2023, 22:50 by jwsinclair)
Gold "nabner" lines contain a non-repeating set of digits, and no two digits on the same line can be consecutive (regardless of their position on the line).
Gold lines also function as arrows: a digit at one end of the line (which end is to be determined by the solver) is equal to the sum of the other two digits.
Digits in cells with a shaded square must be even.
Digits in cells separated by a black dot have a 1:2 ratio.
SudokuPad | F-Puzzles
Originally published as a bonus puzzle in Artisanal Sudoku, Volume 96.
Note to premium subscribers: I don't normally take puzzles out from behind the paywall so soon, if at all, but I was looking for something to publish here and your feedback on Aimless has been so positive, I decided it had to be the one. I'll make up for it with an extra bonus puzzle next week :)
Solution code: row 7
Comments
on 1. August 2026, 07:11 by Justice
The initial break-in here is very neat. My only criticism of the puzzle is that the circles don't really matter that much - only the bare fact of the arrow's existence. You have no way to really ever derive that a cell is a circle from other information until you have the relevant numbers, at which point it's no longer useful information. There's a lot of potential for this nabner arrow ruleset if some constraint is put so that you can derive a circle's existence somehow (they can't touch, they obey sudoku constraints, etc).
on 13. November 2023, 20:48 by Meech
What a brilliant puzzle that was James!!loved it!
on 10. November 2023, 08:46 by Crusader175
Super fun and smooth puzzle!
on 9. November 2023, 21:13 by OGRussHood
I thought that nabner/arrow lines of length 3 were completely useless and this puzzle had no unique solution that could be found by a human being. Then the break-in hit me. This puzzle was a construction of sublime genius.
on 9. November 2023, 20:13 by VitP
this puzzle looks terrifying, but it's james sinclair, so just put aside your fear, and trust the force.
hints:
1) you need to be familiar with nabner logic
2) you cannot put ... on these lines
3) write down the allowable configurations and study them. after you recognize the patterns, the puzzle becomes quite easy.
on 9. November 2023, 12:52 by DarrenBurnett
What number can’t go on the line, and what numbers have to be on the lines. It took me a while to crack the opening but once I got moving it flowed very nicely. A fantastic puzzle.
on 9. November 2023, 10:41 by 28righthand
Thats just brilliant, I love the "where do I start" to "Ohhh, thats interesting".
Loved it!
on 9. November 2023, 01:08 by Krokant
Aimless, but very smooth sailing. Fun puzzle! :)
on 9. November 2023, 00:29 by Playmaker6174
Gonna love when an idea is easily spottable for everyone yet also nicely executed throughout the solve :)
A delightful solve, thanks!
on 9. November 2023, 00:23 by Myxo
Very nice and smooth!
on 8. November 2023, 23:52 by Carpet11
Amazing!
