Demystification
(Published on 25. March 2024, 21:46 by egubachu)
Normal sudoku rules apply: all of the rows, columns and 3x3 boxes contain the numbers 1-9 once each.
Special rules: In the grid there are 5 hidden non-overlapping 3x3 "magic" boxes that contain the numbers 1-9 once each, arranged in a magic square (i.e., all the rows, columns, and diagonals sum to the same amount). Digits along the thermometer increase from the bulb to the end. Pairs separated by a white dot differ by the indicated amount. All pairs of digits summing to 10 are separated by an X.
sudokupad
Solution code: Row 6
Comments
on 23. October 2025, 18:09 by Snookerfan
Fun easy puzzle. Knowing stuff about magic squares did help me a lot. Thank you
on 20. August 2025, 07:05 by mcs131313
Fun solve. I was actually able to solve without the negative X constraint (didn't notice that constraint until after I had colored the whole grid)
on 4. April 2024, 21:36 by misha
Great puzzle! As someone newer to magic square puzzles, it took a bit longer to figure out, but the symmetry is nice and the solve is smooth.
Response by Egubachu: Congrats on the solve. This is not an easy puzzle if you don’t already know lots of useful facts about magic squares. Well done!
on 27. March 2024, 21:02 by egubachu
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! It is my very first puzzle.
I just posted on the forum to ask for advice on how to write better puzzle instructions.
on 27. March 2024, 17:25 by Volkner
Great puzzle, I enjoyed it, but definitely NOT 4 stars. I gave it 1 star as it took less than 10 minutes to solve.
The real challenge was trying to figure out the meaning of the solution code instructions. I give that 3 stars difficulty, as it took longer than working the actual puzzle.
on 25. March 2024, 22:48 by egubachu
Correcting a minor typo in the guide to the solution code.
on 25. March 2024, 22:37 by egubachu
Adding link to sudokupad
on 25. March 2024, 22:13 by slowbiex
link to puzzle?
