The Labyrinth
(Published on 8. June 2025, 08:44 by Twan2797)
Rules:
Sudoku
Place the digits 0-8 once each in every row, column, and 3x3 box.
Labyrinth
- Draw an orthogonally connected Labyrinth from entrances to exits. All walls must connect to at least one border.
- No 2x2-region may be completely covered by the path or by walls.
- the outside grid is considered part of the walls / labyrinth.
Squares
- Squares are light switches and must be on the walls.
- The number in the square indicates how many lightbulbs (circles) are directly adjacent to the light switch (horizonal or vertical).
Circles (Lightbulbs)
- Lightbulbs are placed by the solver. Each must touch a light switch (horizontally or vertically), cannot be on a wall, and may not touch another bulb (horizontally or vertically).
- The number in the bulb shows brightness: how many cells it lights up in total, including itself (0–8). Lights may not overlap, and the entire maze —including entrance and exit— must be lit.
X sums
- An X works as a connector of two places, which both have to be either walls or part of the maze. The two cells have to sum to 10.
Example
The following is an example how a corner of the Labyrint may look and how lightswitches and lightbulbs work. Coloured cells indicate the light of the bulb, the line indicates the path.
Solution code: Row 8 (left to right)
Comments
on 11. June 2025, 06:42 by Norkas
Fun puzzle, though I agree that the rules have been a bit unclear. They do make for an interesting ruleset when understood.
on 9. June 2025, 00:36 by Tacocat
Very nice, thank you! That's an interesting ruleset, with potential for more puzzles.
The solve is tricky (especially with the zeroes) but "fair", as it doesn't require bifurcation.
My only complaint is that the rules lack clarity (although the example helps):
* I had to check your previous puzzle to understand that a lightbulb can only light cells visible horizontally or vertically.
* The lightbulbs may not touch rule is not used in the puzzle.
* There is no distinction between the roles of entrances and exits. I would reword the rule as:
"Draw an orthogonally connected Labyrinth that links to every entry point", with every arrow pointing towards the puzzle.
* The "X as a connector" sounds strange, I propose:
"Two cells connected by an X have the same nature (path or wall) and must sum to 10"
These are suggestions, and my wording might be off as I'm not a native english speaker.
--------
Thank you for the advice,
I will rework the rules with your suggestions, as I agree.
Hope you enjoyed!
--------
I enjoyed a lot, this is the kind of puzzle I like!
