These cells, see cells, by the 3, 4
(Published on 8. July 2025, 11:30 by Flinty)
This puzzle was inspired by, err, me! :)
I set the puzzle Take Two!!; and used that as an example to challenge other setters, via Scojo's twitch channel redeems, to use given digits in fog in a fun and/or interesting way.
The title is inspired by the tongue twister "She sells seashells by the seashore".
To play the puzzle, please click the image:
Initial Setter Difficulty: 1.5 / 5 (released as 2/5, likely reviews as 1/5)
Normal Sudoku rules apply
Place the digits 1-9 so that they do not repeat in any row, column, or 3x3 box.
Given Threes or Fours
Hidden in the fog in every 3x3 box, there is either a given 3, or a given 4.
Fog of War
In this puzzle, correctly placed digits will reveal that cell only.
The following common constraints are used within this puzzle:
- Arrows: Digits on an arrow sum to the number in the attached circle.
- Black Dots: If a black dot connects two digits, then one is double the other.
- Dutch Whisper (Orange) (D): Adjacent digits on a line differ by at least 4.
- Killer Cages: Digits in a cage sum to the given total.
- Quads: The 4 digits in the larger white circle all appear in the surrounding cells in any order.
- Renban (Pink) (R): Digits on a line form a set of distinct consecutive digits.
- V Clues: Digits separated by a V sum to 5.
Hint to start
There are a few options for a first digit, with both Arrows being useful at the start as they can't contain both 3 and 4 -useful in combination with other clues in the Row/Column.
Solution code: Row 9 from left to right.
Comments
on 16. July 2025, 19:31 by CSStead
Very cool how that all worked out. Thank you.
on 15. July 2025, 14:00 by PancakePie
Never could've guessed just how helpful that 3/4 rule would be. Very cool logic that unlocked some new realizations about old rules! Thank you for this.
on 14. July 2025, 19:10 by Myfyr MJ
Bit of a struggle this one.
on 11. July 2025, 05:36 by TeddieMilo
Very nice.. took a while to remember the hidden 3,4 rule
on 10. July 2025, 20:39 by matthew.v
Great flow and interesting logic. Thanks for the puzzle!
on 10. July 2025, 19:09 by Lemonator
Somehow skipped the 3/4 rule. Once I reread that it flowed so nicely
on 9. July 2025, 18:02 by Quizzmo
Very nice puzzle and lovely flow once I got the hang of it. Would give it 3/5 though.
on 9. July 2025, 13:07 by nunc
Really nice puzzle with a great flow. Thanks a lot for sharing. I loved how some options you get right from the start disambiguate only in later stages.
on 9. July 2025, 08:08 by OdioGenerisHumani
Thank you for the lovely puzzle :)
on 9. July 2025, 04:59 by Decapod
I kept expecting each digit to reveal a new kropki or renban, but it all resolved in the end. Very nice.
on 8. July 2025, 22:40 by Big Tiger
Okay, I made it, but it's getting THREE stars from me.
on 8. July 2025, 21:08 by IYelledataSquare
I really enjoyed this one! There was a great flow and tons of fun, logical deductions. The fog setup made for a great finale as I received confirmation after confirmation to close it out!
on 8. July 2025, 20:58 by Adrian71
Lovely puzzle, beautifully set, elegantly used the original constraints to its maximum, thanks for sharing!
on 8. July 2025, 19:52 by Big Tiger
2 stars, huh? I'm totally stuck after just one digit. Will report back.
Flinty: You got this Big Tiger!
on 8. July 2025, 12:12 by Ratfinkz
Beautiful puzzle - lots of unusual logic! Loved it!
