Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

Standard sudoku rules applies. Fill the grid with numbers from 1 to 9 so each digit occurs exactly once in every row, column and 3x3 box.

Digits on the thermo strictly increase from the bulb. Color is for distinguishing different thermos(I think that’s clear enough)

1 has frozen and would block the every thermo cell behind. In other words, rules of the thermo only apply before 1, not included 1, obviously.

If you remember the pagoda, you probably could guess what this puzzle is for. Yes, it’s for the Minor cold of the 24 traditional Chinese solar term. I know it’s like 3 months ago. But I never expect it to become a series, which you would see after I solve every 10 puzzles.

Also, I have a very good reason why I delay for so long. There’s another series in progress. A stitch up rule series, not like some random stitch, but the vx and greater than ones, which would really drain my creativity in making those. More about that when I post those.

As for this puzzle, I admit, I forgot. I remember it’s annoyed, but after 3 months and solve it again, it’s not that hard(or I just know those trick too well). I remember saying minor cold thermo(thus the 1) and greater cold skyscraper(the 9). I’m so glad I choose the right digit for each variant, which made me wondering, what else can I apply to 19, thus the number series. I know some veterans may ask why not using a fix n, n to be decided by the solvers? Why the rules choose for the solvers? Well, as what borescoper said in the skyscraper behind 1, unnecessary deduction is not fun. Another reason I found is that, a fixed digit usually maximize the variant fun while a deducted digit usually comprised some fun for the deduction. Say I made it 2 block, it definitely won’t be as interested as 1 block. The whole concept is about partially disabling a thermo. Letting 1 free of the bulb is more important than letting 2 free from 2 cells. Another hidden rule is that an extreme rule needs an extreme boundary. I’m just writing this down in case someday I might forgot what I used to think.

As for this puzzle, let me be honest, the hardest part is making it look comfy. With thermo, nobody like shorty. I know a lot of people like symmetry, which is the answer I got when I asked what structure you might like. But come on, symmetry is boring, you know if you solve one side you can do the same on the other side. Asymmetry is what I’m looking for. Right now, I’m using the symmetry as a boundary line, and try creating different scene on each side. It works well so far. It kind of made my puzzles easier than Old Mile’s for I put a lot of instant digits.

Ah, one last thing to mention. Being a setter actually change some of my attitude. I used to post puzzles in hope to see some like those, which gives me motivation. But now, I can set what I want. A lot of previously trashed ideas, because Old Miles can’t set, like skyscrapers and region drawing, were on the table again. Now, I post puzzles like writing a diary. I’m still a little not happy about myself, I still haven’t set a portal puzzle inspired puzzle, which is really weird considering what I’m capable of. I think I babble long enough, so more in the next puzzle.