To play the puzzle, please click the image:
This is a puzzle I have set with two constraints that I have enjoyed recently whilst solving.
- Origin of Y-Sums - by cdwg2000.
- Origin of Hitlines* - by Marty_Sears and Ratfinkz
*albeit a slightly different rule.
Initial Setter Difficulty: 3-3.5 / 5 (familiarity with the constraints obviously helps)
Normal Sudoku rules apply
Place the digits 1-9 so that they do not repeat in any row, column, or 3x3 box.
Hitlines
Digits don't repeat on a beige hitline.
The small clue above the square at the start of a hitline indicates the total of any digits along the line that equal their position number, starting at the square (which is position 1).
Eg: If a 4-cell hitline reads 1794, then its clue would be 5 (the sum of 1 and 4) because 1 is in position 1, 4 is in position 4, and these are the only two digits which match their position number.
Y-Sums
Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of the first Y digits in the corresponding direction. Y is the digit placed in the Xth cell in the corresponding direction, where X is the digit placed in the first cell in that direction.
Visual Example
This image shows the valid Hit Point from the example included in the wording above, and a valid Y-Sum fill, where 7 points to 3, meaning the sum is the first 3 cells (7 + 8 + 5 = 20). Hope this helps.
Hint to start
Box 1 has the most tension at the beginning, as a digit is forced on the '6' hitline. Solving technique tip, I used 'Red' to highlight which cells couldn't contribute value to the hitline.
Lösungscode: Digits from Column 7 (don't forget you can copy/paste, option available in advanced settings of sudokupad)
am 21. April 2025, 21:45 Uhr von Gnubeutel
Second attempt did the trick.
Took me a long time to see how those loose clues interacted. And i second goodcity in that i also missed a part of the rules.
am 9. April 2025, 11:48 Uhr von goodcity
This puzzle is way better when you read the rules !
Flinty: The real rules are the friends we made up along the yellow brick, err, what was I saying?
am 8. April 2025, 18:18 Uhr von palpot
Fantastic puzzle!
Flinty: <3 (heart emoji)
am 8. April 2025, 08:54 Uhr von Flinty
Visual example added.
am 8. April 2025, 07:42 Uhr von sorryimLate
So much fun and interesting logic, thanks!
Flinty: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
am 7. April 2025, 23:52 Uhr von Elliott810
Absolutely brilliant puzzle! The two constraints interact beautifully. Take a bow and thank you:)
Flinty: Thank you for the very kind comment. I'm particularly pleased with this one. :)