Up to N Funk
(Published on 1. October 2026, 00:10 by marty_sears)
Here is something a bit special. A secret 21-way collaboration, led by myself and ChinStrap, to create this bumper pack for sujoyku's birthday.
Sujoyku is a much-loved member of the community, not only one of the most prolific and imaginative setters out there, but also one of the loveliest. His kindness, joy and positivity are contagious to anyone who spends time chatting to him. And I've now had the pleasure of hanging out with him twice in person, and can confirm he pretty much always has a big smile on his face.
This pack is inspired by the 'Up to N' ruleset that he invented. We hope we have found some fun new twists on it, and we wish you joyful solving!
Happy birthday sujoyku!
Rules:
Normal sudoku rules apply.
UP TO N: A clue panel (outside the grid) by row N or column N gives the total of any digits that occur before the digit N in that row or column, seen from the direction of the clue (and not including the digit N).
MYSTERY CLUES: The numerical contents of the clue panels must be deduced. Any empty panel represents some number greater than 0. A '?' indicates the number is between 1-9. A grey circle indicates the number is odd.
RENBANS: A pink clue panel indicates that the 'up to N' sum (not including N itself) forms a renban: a set of consecutive digits that can be arranged in any order.
NABNERS: A yellow clue panel indicates that the 'up to N' sum (not including N itself) forms a nabner: no two digits anywhere in a nabner may be consecutive.
DIAMOND DIGITS: An empty clue panel being pointed at by an arrow can have its clue determined by summing the 'diamond digits' along the arrow that points at it. Discover diamond digits by solving lots of mini puzzles!
| Concept: Marty Sears |
| Puzzle art design: ChinStrap |
| Featuring puzzles by: |
| ChinStrap | Calvinball | Ratfinkz |
| aqjhs | ViKingPrime | Black_Doom |
| SennyK | Matt Tressel | Justin Vitanza |
| Dorlir | Michael Lefkowitz | Lake |
| SamuPiano | Flinty | palpot |
| Sotehr | blackjackfitz | Marty Sears |
| NEWS | ThePedallingPianist | gdc |
Solution code: Row 1 of the 9x9 puzzle, reading left to right
Comments
on 5. October 2026, 16:34 by blackjackfitz
Huzzah!
on 2. October 2026, 23:28 by LunchEntity
Well, that was quite an epic journey! My favorites of the mini puzzles were probably "Eat Your Greens" and "Counting Rows and Columns" but they were uniformly quite delightful.
on 2. October 2026, 19:17 by LunchEntity
In "NiNe LiNes," does a digit at the intersection of two up-to-N sums count twice? (I had first assumed yes, because such a square is in two sums, but it seems ambiguous.)
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Later: The resolution to my question became clear from context during the solve. Not sure if there's a benefit to wording that differently or not.
Marty: I thought the way I worded the rule made it quite clear: 'it indicates how many up-to-N sums contain that digit'... so yes if a cell is crossed by two sums, it would be counted twice
on 2. October 2026, 11:40 by Piatato
Fun pack! Happy belated birthday!
on 1. October 2026, 21:31 by PrissyP
Awesome pack of puzzles. I couldn't name a favorite because all of them are so much fun. I'm sure Sujoyku will love it, such a nice gift.
on 1. October 2026, 15:02 by raaaaa
Very interesting puzzle set, incorporating a large number of variant types. It took a long time, but it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to all the puzzle makers!
on 1. October 2026, 12:21 by ChigBeese
Super fun, took ages, some of the minis felt harder than the main puzzle
