The Clone Gunmen
(Published on 10. June 2026, 09:01 by pdyxs)
After not creating any puzzles for over a year, the concept for this rule came to me while solving another puzzle. It's turned out to be a nice and simple ruleset with some quite interesting consequences - let me know what you think!
Rules
Sudoku: Fill the grid with the digits 1-9, so that each digit occurs exactly once in every row, every column and every 3x3 box.
Clone Cages: All cages with the same sum are clones (they contain exactly the same digits in the same relative positions). All cages have at least one clone.
Kropki: Digits connected by a white dot are consecutive. If digits are connected by a black dot, one is double the other.
More Convergent Clues puzzles:
For more puzzles, follow me on Bluesky at @pdyxs.bsky.social
Solution code: The digits in caged cells in the bottom three rows, reading left to right and top to bottom (i.e. row 7, then row 8, then row 9)
Comments
yesterday, 16:16 by Fisherman
This excellent puzzle demonstrates the need to declassify the hidden comments once a year on New Years day. Sure, there will be some spoilage, but it is worth the price of revealing the hidden treasures to all.
Until then, please take it to the bank that the solution is unique. Marshall on Mars brought us all back to earth.
yesterday, 10:18 by Snookerfan
Brilliant puzzle! Lovely coloring and great disambiguating. Thanks
yesterday, 04:02 by pdyxs
Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone!
@Fisherman - no worries, thanks for bringing it up (I'd rather know about it if there is a problem). And thanks @Marshal on Mars for clarifying - that's a spot on explanation!
yesterday, 02:37 by Fisherman
Sorry folks, Marshall on Mars proved uniqueness at the hidden comments section. No twin exists.
on 10. June 2026, 22:05 by emoney1374
Excellent puzzle with exquisite setting!
on 10. June 2026, 19:02 by Fisherman
A very nice puzzle. I found an apparent twin solve, that I couldn't rule out. I shall post it in hidden comment after the Knicks championship.
on 10. June 2026, 15:53 by iEtsh
It took me more than 2 hours coloring, bruteforcing, checking.. in fact i did enjoy the pain
on 10. June 2026, 15:50 by iEtsh
This puzzle has ruined my life while I enjoy it.
on 10. June 2026, 10:53 by Reisen
It's such a nice experience to solve this puzzle.The rules may seem simple,but they actually work togerther quite well.Thank you
on 10. June 2026, 09:51 by pdyxs
clarifying rules
on 10. June 2026, 09:46 by pdyxs
@Gilliatt - they must contain the same digits in the exact same formation (order and orientation)
on 10. June 2026, 09:41 by Gilliatt
Hi, could you please clarify what is clone? Should they contain the same digits, or should the digits also be in the same order / orientation? Thanks!
