Segmented Thermo Loop
(Published on 26. July 2025, 02:02 by yttrio)
Rules:
Normal Sudoku rules apply: place the digits 1-9 in every row, column, and 3x3 region.
Draw a one-cell-wide loop of orthogonally connected cells. The loop may not touch itself, not even diagonally.
3x3 region borders divide the loop into segments. Every loop segment acts as a thermometer, where digits strictly increase from one end of the segment to the other. A 3x3 region can have multiple segments, and single-cell segments inherently satisfy this constraint.
All segments have digits increase in the same direction along the loop. In other words, if you were to traverse the entire loop in one direction, you would always see digits increase in each segment or always see digits decrease in each segment. Determining which direction has digits increase is up to the solver.
Digit in cells with arrows count how many loop cells are in the indicated direction (not including the cell itself).
Solution code: Digits on the loop in row 2 (left to right) followed by digits on the loop in row 8 (left to right)
Comments
on 3. August 2025, 19:42 by virus_dave
Amazing puzzle from an author who never disappoints.
Thank you!
on 26. July 2025, 20:59 by Exigus
Another amazing loop. Thanks!
on 26. July 2025, 12:57 by Franjo
The loop master did it again! Figuring out the direction was quite easy, but the whole reconstruction needed some nice deductions. Thank you very much for creating and sharing this lovely puzzle.
on 26. July 2025, 11:57 by Snookerfan
Very nice! Thank you
on 26. July 2025, 11:36 by v8nagrom
Excellent! Thanks :)
on 26. July 2025, 09:05 by Elliott810
Brilliant puzzle! Thank you:)
