Region Whispers (Concept Test Puzzle)
(Published on 2. June 2026, 00:00 by Sudokujoker)
This is an idea I had for a new type of line constraint. I don't think it's a particularly complicated rule, but I'm not sure I've explained it very elegantly - hopefully my description is clear enough!
Normal 6x6 sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-6 once each in every row, column and 2x3 box.
The pale green line is a Region Whispers line. This line has a different "whisper value" in each 2x3 box of the sudoku grid it enters, and this value is always greater than 1. Along a Region Whisper line, adjacent digits must differ by at least the "whisper value" for the box it is in. For example, in the box with a whisper value of 3, adjacent digits on the line must differ by at least 3.
The whisper value for each box is unique and must be determined by the solver.
Please note: Where the Region Whispers line passes from one box to the next, the pair of digits either side of the box border must satisfy the whisper value of both boxes. For example, if the line passes from the box with whisper value "3" to the box with whisper value "4", the pair of digits either side of that box boundary must differ by at least 4.
Sudokupad link: https://sudokupad.app/ory3osppt1
Solution code: Row 1
Comments
on 4. June 2026, 22:32 by Sudokujoker
Thanks for the feedback! I'll try to make a 9x9 version in the near future :)
on 2. June 2026, 22:18 by dzamie
Pretty interesting! I understood the rules well enough. Solving the puzzle took a bit of doing - I had a theory of which value was in which box, but it was good to be able to prove it.
on 2. June 2026, 01:57 by Silverscree
I had a lot of fun here! I reckon there is some depth to this ruleset. I look forward to a potential 9×9.
Here is my attempt at explaining the rule, but I'm not sure it's actually better:
'Each cell border the line crosses has a "whisper value". Digits on either side of the cell border must differ by at least the whisper value. Whisper values within a 2×3 box are all the same as each other and whisper values in different boxes must be different from each other, except for cell borders that are also box borders. These have the higher of the two possible whisper values.'
Feel free to take that or leave it!
