Déjà Vu
(Published on 6. April 2025, 11:00 by ndsurgenor)
I swear that I've seen these before: a dot, an X, and lines of four...
- Normal 6x6 sudoku rules apply
- Cells separated by a dot contain consecutive digits and/or digits in a 1:2 ratio
- X gives the sum of all digits along the indicated five-cell diagonal
- Additionally, choose ONE of the following challenges below to logically complete the grid (estimated difficulty shown in [square] brackets; note that each value of X from Challenges 1-5 is needed for Challenge 6):
PUZZLE (solve with SudokuPad): single grid version | multi-grid version
Challenge 1: Region Sums: Lines are divided into segments by the borders of 3x2 boxes with digits on a segment having the same sum as other segments on the same line. X is unknown. [2.0]
Challenge 2: Low-Tip Arrows: The rightmost end of each line is equal to the sum of all other digits on the line while its leftmost end always features its lowest digit (this digit may repeat elsewhere on the line if allowed by other rules). X is unknown. [2.5]
Challenge 3: Doppelgängers: Digits at each end of a line are identical and their sum exists as a single digit elsewhere on the line (any other digits on the line have no effect). The X diagonal functions as such a line and forms a perfect palindrome. [3.0]
Challenge 4: N-Whispers: Digits adjacent on a line must differ by at least N where N is the number of cells the line passes through. X is unknown. [3.0]
Challenge 5: Single Parity Sums: All digits on an line are completely odd/even and the sum of digits on a line is equal to those on at least one other line. X is equal to the sum on one of the four-cell lines. [3.5]
Challenge 6: Extra Region Thermos: Divide the grid into six equally sized regions such that each line exists in only one region. All cells within a region are orthogonally connected and digits within a region do not repeat. Digits on a line increase from one end to the other and each line has a unique pair of digits at its ends. X is equal the average value of X from the previous five challenges! [4.0]
Solution code: Challenge 6: Value of X followed by Row 6
Comments
on 10. April 2025, 10:55 by zonny
Wow! What a pleasure - this is definitely one of my favourite puzzles, or rather 6 of my favourite puzzles!
REPLY: Cheers, zonny, thanks for playing through it 6 times over - nds
on 7. April 2025, 21:50 by peterkp
I agree with the other comments: Excellent series, thanks for your work compiling it. As to the rating, I've chosen 4 stars because of the overall length. I think your ranking of the individual grids is pretty accurate.
REPLY: Thanks :) Yes, estimating the rating overall is a tough one but 6x6 grids generally get rated a bit easier for difficulty so I thought 3 rather than 4 might be better. Thanks again for solving! - nds
on 7. April 2025, 13:09 by Titus Adduxas
What an amazing series. Huge Kudos for creating a set of puzzles using identical grids; brilliant construction throughout. Each one had its own little challenges but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
REPLY: Thank you so much for taking the time to solve and comment. It was great fun setting myself this challenge and now great to see others enjoying the logic within the puzzles. - nds
on 6. April 2025, 23:53 by TJ
Thanks for the puzzle, great craftsmanship!
REPLY: Thanks TJ, very kind of you to say so :) - nds
