Rockingham (Mid Loop/Sudoku)
(Published on 25. March 2026, 23:40 by damo_89)
This is a response to Scojo's Setting Saturday prompt, redeemed by ChinStrap, calling for sudoku hybrids using different pencil puzzle genres. I chose mid loop, a genre that was new to me, but I have really enjoyed solving vanilla mid loop and hope this hybrid has the right balance of both genres. Consensus testing estimates were 3 or maybe 4 stars. Good luck!
- Normal sudoku rules apply: Place the digits 1 to 9 once each in every row, column, and 3x3 box
- Mid Loop: Draw a single 1-cell-wide loop of orthogonally connected cells into the grid that does not branch or enter any cell more than once. The loop must pass through all given dots, and all given dots must be in the middle of a straight loop segment (i.e., the distance from a dot to the next turn along the loop must be identical in both directions). (NB: puzz.link pictorial summary of the rules of mid loop)
- Ambiguous Kropki: Digits separated by a grey dot are consecutive or one is double the other. Adjacent digits on the loop not separated by a dot must NOT be consecutive or where one is double the other
Solution code: Digits on the loop in column 6
Comments
on 11. April 2026, 18:27 by Voidslime
Wow. This puzzle has the PERFECT balance of line building and sudoku. I’ve never had to use both techniques in sync before. Extremely impressive. Very satisfying and fun too!
on 26. March 2026, 22:23 by Exigus
Very interesting loop building with lots of interactions between different sections.
on 26. March 2026, 11:55 by Snookerfan
Very nice, lovely constraints, thank you!
on 26. March 2026, 08:24 by Elliott810
Brilliant puzzle! Thank you:)
