Internal X-Sum Whisper Loop
(Published on 15. March 2025, 01:00 by yttrio)
Rules:
Normal Sudoku rules apply.
Draw a one-cell-wide loop of orthogonally connected cells. The loop may not touch itself, not even diagonally.
The loop acts as a German Whispers line (i.e., adjacent digits on the loop must have a difference of at least 5).
Cells with an arrow clue act as internal loop x-sum clues: a digit in a clued cell indicates the sum of the first X digits on the loop in the indicated direction, where X is the digit in the first loop cell in that direction (not including the clued cell itself). X cannot be larger than the number of loop cells in the indicated direction, and the clued cell may or may not be on the loop.
Solution code: Digits on the loop in row 8 (left to right) followed by digits on the loop in column 8 (top to bottom)
Comments
on 6. April 2025, 15:50 by Franjo
Having solved the two following episodes of the series first this one was much easier for me … Amazing how this works! Thank you again for creating and sharing your beautiful puzzles.
on 20. March 2025, 04:56 by virus_dave
Wow, i really struggled with this one at first. Couldn't really get a handle on it how it all worked, despite getting a start on the loop. I stared at column 1 for probably 25 minutes, repeatedly questioning my sanity, until it all suddenly clicked. I was in awe, and felt so dumb. But it was completely smooth from that point forward. Very lovely puzzle, thank you!
on 16. March 2025, 23:07 by Nordy
Very nice!
on 16. March 2025, 09:44 by AryaSV
wow, the solution path was as smooth as it can get <3
on 16. March 2025, 00:11 by madhupt
Only 5 clues but they are so powerful in the context of the given ruleset! Amazing setting and such a beautiful solve path! Thanks for sharing this.
on 15. March 2025, 22:54 by Tank
Fantastic puzzle, enjoyed every minute of it.
on 15. March 2025, 21:23 by Godrick
Thank you for this! VERY nice puzzle. Took a little while wrap my mind around the rules, but after that, it was really smooth with some really fantastic "discoveries".
on 15. March 2025, 16:11 by Calvinball
Edited my comment becauase I realized someone already made a near identical one, suffice it to say this is masterfully set.
on 15. March 2025, 15:04 by ICHTUES
Wow
on 15. March 2025, 12:48 by 9Rookienumbers
Brilliant setting. Very few clues, but very powerful
on 15. March 2025, 11:15 by Snookerfan
Very nice! Hard for me to internalize the rules properly, so I made many mistakes. Thank you
on 15. March 2025, 11:00 by wuc
Great puzzle again. Narrow smooth solve path maximizes the fun for me since the ideas are quite tricky but not all around the grid. I love these loop puzzles thx.
on 15. March 2025, 07:02 by marcmees
Master of the minimalist but smooth whisperloop. Thanks
