Simple as AB
(Published on 16. April 2026, 05:30 by NicoD)
Rules
Normal sudoku rules apply.
Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of the first X digits, where X is the first seen digit.
A and B represent two numbers to be determined by the solver.
Any three adjacent digits along a teal modular line have different residues modulo 3 (i.e. one digit from {1,4,7}, one from {2,5,8}, and one from {3,6,9}).
Solution code: Column 1
Comments
on 27. April 2026, 22:05 by superkinkel
Absolutely brilliant and probably my favorite puzzle of the year so far.
on 23. April 2026, 00:32 by Fool on Hill
Seriously clever - spotted the break-in quickly. Solved beautifully.
on 19. April 2026, 23:52 by ElenaMonteille
What a wonderful puzzle!!
on 19. April 2026, 12:01 by superkinkel
Absolutely brilliant and probably my favorite puzzle of the year so far.
on 19. April 2026, 09:38 by BG03
This puzzle is chef's kiss. The pattern spotted to make this work is quite wonderful.
Breaking in is the entire solve effort. From there onwards it just unravels. It's like a colouring puzzle where you colour the whole grid and then determine that lone other clue that gives you a digit and unlocks the whole puzzle
on 17. April 2026, 16:36 by nassausolver
Favourite solve of the month so far!
on 17. April 2026, 00:13 by pmays123
beautiful and very fun. Thank you
on 17. April 2026, 00:10 by chinesemaster
Easier than it looks, so definitely give it a god! Super fun, thanks!
on 16. April 2026, 23:59 by sujoyku
Thank you for this wonderful puzzle, NicoD!
on 16. April 2026, 23:14 by brskri
Very smooth flow once you get the idea. I got stuck for a very long time because my eyes missed the existence of one of the B clues on the side.... Not the puzzle's fault.
on 16. April 2026, 19:21 by Exigus
Elegant. Thanks!
on 16. April 2026, 19:21 by keesh
Really nice puzzle. The title does not really do it justice tho. It is only as "simple as AB" if you start with the A, reverse the entire alphabet and end up with the B.
Just as the modular arrow puzzle; i'm still not entirely sure how it solved but suddenly I was done. And i loved it.
on 16. April 2026, 19:17 by Adrian71
Absolutely gorgeous! Loved every minute of the solve
on 16. April 2026, 18:01 by nunc
Just WOW!
on 16. April 2026, 17:00 by jeffrey.l.byrd19
It blows mind that one person can put out so many fantastic and varied puzzles. You have become one of the setters that I look forward to the most.
When I first looked at this one I had no idea what the strategy might be, but when I finally saw where to look, it flowed so smoothly and logically. Thanks!
on 16. April 2026, 16:14 by drbs
Excellent puzzle and not easy at all.
on 16. April 2026, 15:38 by matiasv5
Loved the math!
on 16. April 2026, 13:51 by Ragna
Wonderful puzzle! I had much fun. Thank you. :-)
on 16. April 2026, 13:43 by thrutch
Excellent.
on 16. April 2026, 09:38 by Snookerfan
Beautiful and fun, thanks!
on 16. April 2026, 08:45 by johnreid
Nice puzzle! Thanks!
on 16. April 2026, 06:58 by Elliott810
Brilliant construction! Thank you:)
