Rank Up 20.aq - Dutch Flat Mates
(Published on 10. October 2025, 01:59 by aqjhs)
So ThePedallingPianist called for entries for the 20th edition of the Rank Up series...
- Place a digit from 1-9 into every cell within the main 5x5 grid such that digits do not repeat in a row, column or 3x3 box. There are four 3x3 boxes that overlap at the dotted lines.
- Full Rank:
- The digits on columns and rows, read in both directions, make a total of 20 five-digit numbers.
- Numbers in pills outside the grid (read left to right or top to bottom) show the rank in ascending order among those 20 numbers for the indicated column or row in the direction of the clue, where the lowest number has rank 01 and the highest number has rank 20.
- There are no ties in rank.
- Pills can contain any digits from 0 to 9.
- Dutch Flatmates: Every 5 in the grid and pills must have a 1 directly above it, or a 9 directly below it. It may have both, but it doesn't need both.
- Spaces joined by a V or X have digits that sum to 5 or 10 respectively. Not all possible such pairs are given.
See also:
Solution code: Row 1 (5 digits)
Comments
on 13. October 2025, 11:21 by QuiltyAsCharged
Wow, I loved this puzzle! It's such a creative idea. The overlapping boxes led to interesting logic, and the solve path was really satisfying.
I can confirm that in the revised version, Dutch Flatmates are an essential part of the solution.
on 10. October 2025, 18:19 by Zibl
Great puzzle! Thank you for setting!
on 10. October 2025, 18:10 by aqjhs
ok, rather lose some XVs then lose DFM
on 10. October 2025, 12:07 by zeniko
As starfall, I‘ve solved this entirely without Dutch Flatmates, which still made for a pleasant puzzle till the end. Not sure, if any of the XV can be removed to make them a requirement. So maybe add a note that the Flatmates rule can be omitted for a slightly more challenging solve? Thanks for sharing.
on 10. October 2025, 04:51 by starfall
I completely forgot the Dutch flat mate rule but somehow got it right
on 10. October 2025, 02:51 by sorryimLate
Very nice and clever, thanks!
