Hidden Connection
(Published on 13. June 2025, 19:34 by Fenners)
Decided to set using some index lines for the first time. Paired it with killer cages. Thanks go to Lake, sujoyku, mellowrobinson, Wuschel and Chinstrap for testing and providing feedback. Feedback appreciated and wishing you happy solving!
Puzzle: Hidden Connection
Rules:
Normal 9x9 Sudoku rules apply.
Killer Cages: Digits in a cage sum to the clue in the top left corner.
On an index line, the digit in the Nth cell along the line (starting from the diamond) indicates the position along the line where the digit N appears. Eg: 3214 would be a valid line; the 1st digit, 3, indicates that the 3rd digit is a 1, and so on.
Solution code: Row 5, left to right, 9 digits no spaces:
Comments
on 2. July 2025, 07:21 by Nemefish
This had the same kind of satisfaction as power-washing. Slow progress for a while then a virtual cascade of digits that did not stop coming. Very elegant and enjoyable.
on 18. June 2025, 21:20 by madhupt
What an absolutely brilliant setting! So smooth and such great fun! Thanks for sharing this, @Fenners
on 16. June 2025, 20:41 by GeorgeTheToad2
Very nice puzzle. I liked the steady flow of deductions between all of the index lines which makes a very enjoyable and approachable puzzle. Thank you for setting and sharing. Congrats on your 5th CTC feature you are in the CTC setters hall of fame.
——
Thank you GeorgeTheToad2! Glad you enjoyed this one. And how cool, what a privilege :) — Fenners
on 16. June 2025, 00:51 by antiknight
Amazing break-in!
on 15. June 2025, 23:33 by ViKingPrime
Absolutely phenomenal. I must say, you have such an elevated grasp of geometry when it comes to Sudoku; your puzzles seem to have this tricky but fair, almost shockingly elegant flow to them all. Truly well done.
——
Wow, that means so much, thank you! Glad you enjoyed the puzzle! — Fenners
on 15. June 2025, 23:05 by Hay-in-needlestack
Absolutely loved how elegantly the constraints interacted. It is one of the very few puzzles which I found easier than what the rating had suggested.
on 15. June 2025, 09:47 by Exigus
Beautiful symmetry and logic. Flow is perfect. Thanks!
on 14. June 2025, 12:37 by Franjo
Elegant and beautiful setting making use of index lines to decide which way round the symmetrical pattern unfolds. Thank you very much for creating and sharing this lovely puzzle.
on 14. June 2025, 10:33 by Snookerfan
Sublime puzzle and very enjoyable solve! Thank you
on 14. June 2025, 10:16 by sujoyku
Wonderful puzzle! Killer Sudoku and Index Lines are among my overall favourites and their interactions are gorgeous. Thank you, Fenners!
on 14. June 2025, 10:15 by Fizz
Very nice and fun puzzle, thanks!
on 13. June 2025, 21:57 by oskode
Really cool break-in, never seen a similar one before. Thank you for sharing!
----
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it --Fenners
on 13. June 2025, 21:30 by mathpesto
Impressively smooth given the relatively minimal number of clues! :)
----
Thanks so much mathpesto :) --Fenners
on 13. June 2025, 20:55 by keesh
Really nice flow once you remember the rules after the break in..
----
Thank you :) --Fenners
on 13. June 2025, 19:43 by Laake
Lovely stuff, definitely going to have to try more of yours in the future!
----
Thanks again for testing! -- Fenners
on 13. June 2025, 19:41 by ChinStrap
Really enjoyed the interactions here.
----
Thanks ChinStrap! -- Fenners
