The devil's modular links
(Published on 8. April 2024, 21:58 by egubachu)
Notes
For this puzzle I took inspiration from Gliperal's Rosette, which I found extremely beautiful and elegant.
The puzzle
The rules
Normal sudoku rules apply: Place the digits 1 to 9 once each in every row, column, and box. Digits in cages do not repeat, and they sum to the total indicated in the top left corner.
The fiery red loop consists of five thermometers, directed clockwise from bulb to end. In other words, digits must increase going clockwise around the loop with at most five exceptions.
Solve online
Solution code: Row 5
Comments
on 12. August 2025, 21:17 by mcs131313
On of my favorite puzzles in a while. I love how there were such completely seperate stages of the solve, where you had to hammer one thing, but then completely forget about it and move on to new techniques
on 25. March 2025, 19:03 by Snookerfan
Brilliant puzzle! Seemed impossible until I made one important observation and a tiny one to accompany that. Forgive me for this riddle, but it is so hard to not give away any spoilers when praising a puzzle and its setter. Thank you again
~~~
Thank you so much for revisiting this old puzzle, Snookerfan! I must say, I am also puzzled by your riddle, haha. With this puzzle, solvers tend to try really complicated strategies (which don't work) and then give up, but actually the solution is much more elementary and you can almost just follow your nose to. It's one of those puzzles that look harder than they really are.
SamuPiano was also inspired by this puzzle and created a puzzle Set of Shurikens with the same configuration of cages, which is well worth trying. In their puzzle, the complicated methods do help you out:)
on 16. August 2024, 03:01 by SamuPiano
Thanks for the puzzle (and the hints that you gave me)! It was fantastic!
on 8. April 2024, 23:02 by bansalsaab
Nice puzzle.
