Unlikely friends (Anti-knight thermo sudoku)
(Published on 21. July 2025, 19:19 by Phistomefel)
- Place digits in the grid such taht every row, column and 3x3 box contains each digit from 1 to 9 exactly once.
- The digits on a thermometer increase from the bulb end.
- Cells that are a knight's move away from each other, may not contain the same digit.
If you would like to have a slightly crunchier solving path, just ignore the given 5 (F-Puzzles, CTC-App).
Solution code: Last row
Comments
on 26. July 2025, 05:17 by TheNineElements
Solve Time: 46:23
I rated this 3/5 difficulty.
Wow, this was a great anti-knight puzzle! Definitely one of my favorites to date. I'm very glad @Phistomefel has returned with some great puzzles!
I think the difficulty for this one was in the average-high 3* range, with most of the difficult steps occurring in the break-in. I think the break-in was around 3-4* difficulty, but once I figured out "how" to begin approaching/coloring - everything came together nicely and the whole solve was very smooth. It wasn't easy, but I never really got stuck - which was a nice experience. I would say the midgame was a fair 3* difficulty. Either way, I found the puzzle reasonably approachable and very enjoyable.
Overall, definitely a great puzzle & worth giving it a go! Thanks for sharing!
on 24. July 2025, 20:06 by OGRussHood
Phistomefel is back, and all is right with the world--once again creating the perfect puzzle for the respective ruleset.
on 24. July 2025, 01:14 by Exigus
Break in was tricky but a beautiful setup. Thanks!
on 23. July 2025, 09:57 by madhupt
Yay! Solved another Phistomefel! What a brilliant setting! The break-in was wonderful and the flow thereafter was quite smooth. A very satisfying solve.
on 23. July 2025, 06:44 by Phistomefel
Thanks a lot for all your kind comments! I am glad you enjoyed the puzzle.
on 22. July 2025, 18:19 by Black_Doom
What an intricate break-in! Loved this puzzle a lot
on 22. July 2025, 16:59 by Platinum
Really enjoyable puzzle, with lovely logic, ty
on 22. July 2025, 15:35 by cozmic72
What a wonderful puzzle - a very involved, but also very satisfactory break-in. I can’t imagine how hard the ‘crunchy’ version would be…
on 22. July 2025, 11:23 by Sotehr
The geometry deductions were delightful!
on 22. July 2025, 10:42 by Snookerfan
Excellent puzzle! I loved the break-in and the geometry. Thank you
on 22. July 2025, 08:51 by Piatato
Quite crunchy indeed, thanks! :)
on 22. July 2025, 07:50 by Playmaker6174
That entire sequence between those thermos and anti-knight restriction really had plenty of delicious interactions and breakthroughs, and it actually got spicier for me towards the very end of the solve. Thanks for an engaging puzzle as always :)
on 22. July 2025, 03:35 by RedBarchetta
Between coloring, penciling, looking, and 2 hours of time, I finally conquered it! Lots of great interactions with those thermos and knights. Thanks!
on 21. July 2025, 20:29 by LittleNightmaresLady
Very nice puzzle! Enjoyed the geometry in this one!
on 21. July 2025, 19:21 by Phistomefel
Corrected links.
