Previous Dutch Flat Mate Puzzles
This has been a weekly series since '18 Oct 23'. Here is a spreadsheet link for all the previous puzzles in the series, which also has a few teasers for upcoming constraints/guest setters in the series (subject to change).
This alternative link offers a limited LMD search for Dutch Flat Mates.
Special Thanks
This puzzle was a collab with sujoyku, who suggested a constraint called "Sum to 9" for the series, we then independently came to the idea that using N, rather than 9 would be more interesting and this puzzle is the result.
Last Friday I released an N's Neighbour Sums puzzle with no Flat Mates —that was released without issue and if anyone tells you otherwise... then please tell them that I once again apologise profusely for the missing given on the sudokupad link— that you can play here: N's Neighbour Sums
To play the puzzle, please click the image:
Initial Setter Difficulty: 3 / 5
Normal Sudoku rules apply
Place the digits 1-9 so that they do not repeat in any row, column, or 3x3 box.
Dutch Flats
Every 5 in the grid must have a '1' directly above it or a '9' directly below it. It may have both, but it doesn't need both.
N's Neighbour Sums
A clue outside the grid at Row N/Column N indicates the sum of all digits that are orthgonally adjacent to N (the row/col number) in that respective row or column.
For example, if Row 3 reads 246835791 then the N's Neighbour Sum clue would be 13=8+5.
Hint to start
The single digit 2 clues are doing good work when combined with C2 and happy 5s. C1 then has a surprisingly amount of tension.
Visual Example (4x4):
Fortunately there are no sad 5s in this example
In Row 1, N is 1, and the digits next to N are 3 and 4.
3 + 4 = 7.
Next Week
We welcome back Jobo as guest setter, and I'm certain it's with more than the 'Minimum' effort!
Lösungscode: Row 9 Digits.
am 6. August 2026, 16:25 Uhr von Snookerfan
Fun twist on the rules, thanks for the wonderful puzzle!
am 5. August 2026, 23:10 Uhr von damo_89
Never felt like there was enough information to solve this, then suddenly it was done. Lovely
am 5. August 2026, 19:42 Uhr von vukkarak
what a joy!
am 5. August 2026, 18:56 Uhr von Kaiser86
The setting was genius, and I shy away from using that word willy-nilly. An absolute joy to solve.
am 5. August 2026, 17:04 Uhr von Franjo
Thank you very much for creating and sharing another lovely DFM-puzzle. Surprisingly I can give only 2*, but I solved your last Friday‘s puzzle …
am 5. August 2026, 16:29 Uhr von sujoyku
Thank you for this fun collab, Flinty! I am always proud when I can contribute to your amazing DFM series.
am 5. August 2026, 15:04 Uhr von Flinty
(fixed minor typo)
am 5. August 2026, 10:03 Uhr von Saltensity
Fantastic puzzle! Thank you :)
am 5. August 2026, 08:19 Uhr von Piatato
Fun!