Few Pointers
(Published on 15. February 2026, 18:08 by palpot)
This puzzle was created for Scojo's weekly setting prompt, initiated by Juggler, which challenged setters to invent a new type of clue.
I hope you enjoy solving it!
Solve online: SudokuPad
Rules:
Normal sudoku rules: Place the digits 1 to 6 in each Row, Column, and 2x3 box.
Pointer cells: A digit N in row/column X is a pointer cell if its distance (in cells) from the digit X in that row/column is exactly N. For example, if row 6 is 165324, then 1 and 4 are pointer cells. The 1 is 1 cell from the 6, and the 4 is 4 cells from the 6.
Pointer sums: A clue outside the grid gives the sum of all pointer cells in that row or column.
Solution code: Row 6 digits from left to right.
Comments
on 16. February 2026, 08:03 by puzzlelad
Great puzzle! Read the rules and thought there was no way it would be 1*. 7 minutes later, a smooth 1* solve!
on 16. February 2026, 06:21 by marcmees
fun rule with huge potential. Thanks
on 15. February 2026, 21:59 by amchap
I found the pointer sums a bit confusing. I think it's important to understand that a row pointer sum only totals row pointers, and ignores column pointers that happen to be in that row. And simillarly a column pointer sum only totals column pointers, and ignores any row pointers that happen to be in that column. Perhaps this was obvious to everyone else just from how the rules were worded. Once I realized that had to be the case it was quite easy. Thanks for sharing.
on 15. February 2026, 20:26 by amchap
In the example, isn't the 3 also a pointer cell, because it is 3 cells from the 1 in column 1?
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In my example I was referring only to row 6, where the reference digit is 6 (not 1), so the 3 is only 2 cells away from the 6 and doesn’t qualify.
If the same digits were in column 1, then yes - the 3 would be a pointer cell.
palpot.
on 15. February 2026, 19:07 by GorgeousNicko
I enjoyed this. The explainer on Pointer cells might usefully be added to Sotehr's Point Taken!
on 15. February 2026, 18:23 by HeyItsErin
Took a little for me to get the break in but I really enjoyed how everything unraveled.
