Deconstruction N-Sumscrapers
(Published on 8. October 2026, 07:00 by Flinty)
Puzzle Link: Click Here
Initial Setter Difficulty: 4-4.5 / 5
Deconstruction:
Fill the grid with nine non-overlapping 3x3 square regions, such that each region contains the digits 1-9 once each and no digit repeats in any row or column. Cells outside regions do not contain digits.
N-Sumscrapers
Each digit in the grid represents a building of that height; taller ones hide shorter ones. Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of the first N cells in the corresponding row or column, where N is the number of visible buildings.
Hint to start
The 5 clue in C1 is the most restricted, and the top left 3x3 can be placed with consideration of other clues on the left.
Solvable Example:
- For the 10 clue, the visible buildings are 1, 4, 5, 6
- Therefore N here is 4
- The first 4 cells are 1, 4, (empty), 5
- The sum would be 1 + 4 + 5 = 10
Example Puzzle Link: Click Here
Solution code: Column 9 digits (it's an 11x11 grid)
Comments
today, 08:39 by Statistica
Großartig. Hat viel Spaß gemacht. Danke!
on 9. October 2026, 23:04 by damo_89
Oof that was very tricky, so easy to make a mistake, but very beautiful when you see the intended step.
on 9. October 2026, 10:09 by Snookerfan
Great puzzle! Very hard ruleset to internalize, beautiful solve path. Thanks!
on 8. October 2026, 20:47 by mathpesto
Mind-blowing and brilliant!
on 8. October 2026, 18:36 by gdc
Very fun! I've only seen N-Sumscrapers once (in the DFM) and still find them somewhat puzzling, but feel like I'm getting the hang of it now.
on 8. October 2026, 17:32 by MagnusJosefsson
Great puzzle, very fun idea!
