Shy Friends
(Published on 2. July 2025, 19:03 by Scojo)
- Normal sudoku rules apply: Place the digits 1-9 once each in every row, column, and 3x3 box.
- Dynamic Fog: The grid is partially covered in fog. Placing a correct digit may or may not reveal other cells in the grid.
- Friendly Givens: Any cell where its digit matches (at least one of) its row (1-9 from top to bottom), column (1-9 from left to right), or 3x3 box number (1-9 in normal reading order) is a friendly cell. All friendly cells have been given as black digits in the grid. For clarity, this means that an unfogged cell that does not contain a black given digit may not have a digit equal to its row, column, or box number.
- Region Sum Lines: Box borders divide blue lines into segments with equal sums. Different lines may have different sums.
Solve in SudokuPad
Solution code: Row 8
Comments
on 13. July 2025, 11:30 by QuiltyAsCharged
A friend may hide in the fog for many reasons. Before you write them off, keep in mind they might be lost in there. Or maybe they're about to spring your surprise birthday party...
on 8. July 2025, 16:13 by ViKingPrime
A great showcase on the difference between friends and people who are just being "friendly"; when you really need them, are they hard to find? (e.g. if they disguise themselves under a dense layer of fog if you go looking for them, they may not really be your friend...)
on 6. July 2025, 05:15 by NotSoMagnifique
I will fully admit to stumbling through this one, but I'm still glad I tried it!
on 6. July 2025, 04:08 by LewkForce
Fantastic! I had a moment of dumb scanning causing my time to be much higher than it would've otherwise, but had a great laugh at *that* moment. Well done!
on 4. July 2025, 20:57 by thoughtbyte
Very nice, fresh take on friendly cells. Thanks!
on 4. July 2025, 15:23 by Martina
Nice :-)
on 4. July 2025, 03:26 by xxGRABOIDxx
Very fun, but did not like how easy the end was.
on 3. July 2025, 20:28 by h1dd3ntrip7e
One of my favourite puzzles in recent memory! I love how sometimes just clearing a minimal amount of fog and applying the negative constraint conjures up neat deductions. Thanks Scojo!
on 3. July 2025, 17:30 by Myfyr MJ
Tricky at first but collapsed into an easy solve eventually. Took me 55 minutes though! So I must have missed something here.
on 3. July 2025, 15:29 by Chinea
Had a great time solving! Those aha moments were incredibly satisfying
on 3. July 2025, 11:11 by Franjo
Lovely! Thank you very much for creating and sharing this funny puzzle.
on 3. July 2025, 09:56 by SweJo
Really enjoyed ‘that moment’! It almost scared me!
on 3. July 2025, 00:40 by dzamie
the puzzle that flashbangs you :P
This is a fun rule, using the negative constraint like that.
on 2. July 2025, 22:58 by marty_sears
This was a lot of fun! Really cool use of the negative constraint combined with fog - a perfect response to Flinty's prompt! Some really nice moments... especially THAT moment ;)
