Variant Sudoku 101: Quiz #1
(Published on 2. December 2025, 19:21 by PhoenixAki)
This is the first quiz in the series. Quizzes will use the 2 most recently introduced rules at the same time, to demonstrate how they can interact with each other. I hope you studied!
- Normal sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-9 in each row, column, and 3x3 box without repetition.
- Killer Cages: Digits in dotted-line cages must sum to the number in the top left corner of the cage. Digits may not repeat within a cage. If you want assistance with the mental math, you can turn on the "killer calculator" in settings -> advanced.
- Kropki Pairs: Digits separated by a black dot must have one digit be double the other (a 2:1 ratio). Digits separated by a white dot must be consecutive.
To increase accessibility to my puzzles, I include hints in my LMD posts and also post solution videos on my YouTube channel. I hope these help you solve the puzzles if you are struggling :)
Hint 1: The white dot sequence in box 1 has a start an and end, but we don't know which one is the start or end yet. You can still pencilmark them accordingly, having 19 on the ends, 28 next to them, etc. Where does 5 go? You can then use the cage in row 1.
Hint 2: The black dots in box 9 force 579 to be in row 9, which impacts the cages in row 9.
Hint 3: Box 3's 14 cage heavily restrict what the black dot in box 3 can have on it.
Hint 4: Don't forget that each white dot must have an even and an odd number. This comes in very handy to work out what is on the various dots in the right ahd lower-right part of this puzzle.
Solution code: box 2 in reading order (left to right, top to bottom) (9 digits)
Comments
on 21. January 2026, 09:01 by PhoenixAki
Added hints after learning recently how to do that in HTML. Wish I knew this a few weeks ago when I went over all my posts...oh well.
on 5. January 2026, 22:32 by PhoenixAki
Updated post as part of an effort to improve consistency of rule phrasing and post layout across all my puzzles.
on 12. December 2025, 13:23 by PhoenixAki
shortened title of LMD post. Was going to shorten SudokuPad puzzle title too but that'd wipe the existing solves so I'm keeping it.
on 4. December 2025, 02:34 by PhoenixAki
rules on sudokupad falsely said "not all black dots are given" a second time in the white dot rules section. Link updated to reflect the right wording now :)
on 2. December 2025, 23:36 by jellybelly
Good easy puzzle :)
on 2. December 2025, 21:13 by PatMan
I really apreciate this puzzle, it was a lot of fun and super helpful to practice my skills as someone who is pretty new to variant sudoku as a whole
