Box Path Sudoku
(Published on 20. July 2020, 09:43 by donut and chicken)
Rules:
Normal sudoku rules apply. (Place every number from 1 to 9 in all rows, columns and main 3x3 boxes.)
In addition, every 3x3 box that isn't colored red follow a specific rule:
In each box that isn't colored red, there must be an orthogonal path [path that moves only horizontally/vertically] that goes from 1, 2, 3, all the way up to 9.
A number can only go up to its next number horizontally/vertically unless a diagonal is specified with an arrow that looks like a thermometer.
[The arrow points to the larger cell, with the smallest cell starting at the bulb.]
In the puzzle grid, all the diagonal consecutive paths are shown.
Here is an example of three different boxes:
In the example picture, the path for Box 1 is shown. Box 1 works because the path goes horizontally/vertically through every number in the box.
Box 2 doesn't work for several reasons:
Reason 1: There is no arrow specifying the 1 is allowed to go diagonally to the 2, same applies to the 5 going to the 6.
Reason 2: The 6 in the box cannot go to the 7 horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Box 3 is a valid box.
Even though the 4 needs to go diagonally to go to 5, an arrow in the box specifies that move is allowed. Same for the 5-6, and 7-8.
With those diagonal moves allowed, a path is found from the 1 to the 9 in the whole box, therefore Box 3 works.
In the puzzle grid, there are three boxes colored red. These are the only boxes in the grid that don't follow the box path rule.
Enjoy!
The puzzle:
Alternative Name: Thermometer Box Sudoku
Solution code: Row 5 (left to right), then Row 8 (left to right), no characters in between; Example: 123456789123456789
Solved by aneoid, Julianl, GuessIt, rimodech, Yohann, skywalker, NikolaZ, zorant, dylanamite, sirtramola, zhergan, Lizzy01, adam001, sloffie, Narayana, Nothere, athin, MavericksJD, marcmees, Greg, stealthg0d, ... Raistlen, SKORP17, Laje6, Realshaggy, Carolin, t12345678, Saskia, ParaNox, CJK, Zenryo, nmk1218, zrbakhtiar, RobertBe, metacom, Jordan Timm, jgarber, starelev5, Javier Rebottaro, drf93, Dez256
Comments
on 13. August 2020, 13:24 by CHalb
I like the idea very much! The path principle reminds me of the paths in my puzzles "Magische Pfade" and there especially the 3rd one with the ID 222.
on 20. July 2020, 10:57 by aneoid
I very much enjoyed this puzzle, thank you, d&c.
