Just between the N of us
(Published on 4. June 2021, 12:38 by Sktx)
I am truly happy with this one, I think the constraint has worked wonders. I don't know of another puzzle that uses the same constraint, but if you do, please direct me to it !
I hope you will enjoy it !
==== RULES ====
Normal Sudoku Rules apply : Fill the grid with digits 1 to 9 appearing each exactly once in every row, column and 3x3 box.
Non-strict between lines : For every pair of blue circles linked by a blue path, the digits on that blue path must be non-strictly between (between or equal to) the digits in the said blue circles. Lines that seem to cross each other are not crossing, they are joining to form a crossroad of paths, connecting all of their end circles.
Inequality signs between two cells indicates which of them have the higher digit (and a 'V' means a vertical inequality)
==== EXAMPLE ====
In the above example, the (8)-6-2-1-3-8-(1) path is OK, all of the numbers on the line are non-strictly between 1 and 8.
The 3-circle path is NOT OK. It creates 3 paths :
(3)-4-(5) which is OK
(2)-4-(5) which is OK
(3)-4-(2) which is not OK because 4 is not between 2 and 3, even non-stricly.
Solution code: All the digits from row 2 (left to right) and then column 6 (top to bottom), with no space. 18 digits in total.
Comments
on 29. March 2024, 10:23 by wullemuus
Now that it's solved I really agree with Kafkapharnaum, who recommended this puzzle to me! I converted it into the CTC App (https://marktekfan.github.io) what allows a nicer colouring. Esp. in boxes 4 and 6 playing with this equal/in between concept leads to a real surprising solution. The logic is very smooth (though I couldn't avoid some pitfalls) and capturing. Very well done!
on 8. June 2023, 16:45 by Kafkapharnaum
What a brain-melter, that one -- between making me see impossibilities that weren't actually such and making me miss actual possibilities, this is the one puzzle that had bested me since I joined the site that put up the hardest fight upon retry several months later! It's weird cause now that it's solved, it feels like really it shouldn't have been that hard, but oh, I am still incredibly happy to have solved it -- congrats on yet another very original and mad creation haha
@Kafkapharnaum : thanks a lot for perevering ! I hope the logic felt worth it... And I agree that it's probably one of the most intricate puzzles in my catalogue...
on 15. July 2022, 21:50 by lerroyy
Very nice puzzle! It was a very hard break in and it became a very smooth solve after. Thanks Sktx!
on 14. October 2021, 13:18 by uvo_mod
Labels ergänzt.
on 18. August 2021, 13:08 by FinnishGuy
I have to agree with others - this is an extremely hard rule set. It took me quite some time to figure out some of the consequences of the rule set. At the end it is very rewarding. Well done setting this, Sktx!
on 15. June 2021, 17:53 by Sktx
Added German (Google) translation
on 8. June 2021, 22:58 by Zombie Hunter
When DiMono says your puzzle is hard, it might be a pretty good puzzle.
on 8. June 2021, 22:53 by DiMono
I think that making the first entry into the constraint this difficult is a bad idea. Better to ease people in, starting with easier puzzles and then increasing the difficulty with later instalments.
That said, while it took me a long time to solve, I did enjoy the logic, and I had fun (and some frustration when it looked like I'd broken it). Thank you for the puzzle, even if it maybe was a bit too hard for a first run ;)
@DiMono : Thanks a lot for the solve, and I am glad you had some fun with it despite that brutal introduction to the rule set. I should have released the 6x6 first, and then probably make an intermediate puzzle before posting that one. I guess I was too excited to show what I had found. I am still kind of new to puzzle setting, so this is a good lesson for me. Thanks for the advice !
on 7. June 2021, 21:04 by SenatorGronk
Took me 80 minutes -- and that was after doing your 6x6 version. Even after the break-in this remained very tough.
@SenatorGronk : Congratulations on the first solve, and thanks a lot for your time ! I hope it didn't feel frustrating. Did you find it too hard to be enjoyable ? What do you think of the ruleset ? I feel like it is really interesting from a logical point of view, but I don't know if there is a lot to take from it behind what I used in this puzzle.
on 4. June 2021, 21:19 by Sktx
Added example to showcase the behavior of non-strict between lines.
on 4. June 2021, 15:56 by Tilberg
What does the yellow cell mean?
@Tilberg : Oopsy... It doesn't mean anything, it's just a screenshot artifact, I'm correcting that. Thanks for noticing !
