Heat Exchange
(Published on 9. November 2025, 11:08 by EdTheAlchemist)
Solve in SudokuPad: https://sudokupad.app/d4dmqk22x8
Chaos Construction: Divide the grid into nine orthogonally-connected regions, so that each row, column and region contains all the digits 1 through 9 without repetition.
Extra Chaos: No 2x2 square anywhere in the grid may be entirely part of the same region.
Counting Thermometers: Digits on thermometers strictly increase from the bulb to the tip(s). Furthermore, any digit on a thermometer counts how many cells it sees orthogonally which are in the same region as itself, including itself; other regions block line of sight. Any cell not on a thermometer does NOT do so.
Kropki Whats: Dots between cells are Kropki dots, but you must determine for each one (which may or may not be different) whether they separate consecutive digits or whether they separate digits in a 1:2 ratio.
Solution code: Bottom row
Comments
on 12. November 2025, 04:36 by Marshal on Mars
Got stuck until I remembered/re-read the anti-2x2 rule, then it snapped together quite neatly. A very "all the information's on the task" moment.
on 11. November 2025, 13:50 by THef of Time
Very fun puzzle!
on 10. November 2025, 07:02 by Bankey
Fun puzzle. Thanks, @ EdTheAlchemist :). Looking forward to more of this ruleset.
on 9. November 2025, 12:15 by Snookerfan
Gorgeous puzzle! Very interesting steps in the solve path and a very enjoyable solve. The negative constraint was hard to scan, but very powerful. Thank you
