Build your own samurai sudoku
(Published on 7. September 2021, 01:37 by filuta)
Rules: For each separate grid standard 4x4 sudoku rules apply, the digits, however, may be any four digits from 1 to 9 and must be deduced by the solver.
Moreover, there must be exactly one way to combine the 6 solved 4x4 grids into one arrangement (using only translations) such that:
- only cells with a same digit intersect,
- every digit from 1 to 9 is in some of the intersecting cells,
- the arrangement contains a hole (i.e. it divides the plane into at least two orthogonally connected regions)
An example of how to combine the 4x4 puzzles:
Note that the arrangement is allowed to have "loose parts" as in here, or even be disconnected.
Each 4x4 grid has also its own additional rules:
A: (standard XV) Digits connected by V sum to 5, digits connected by X sum to 10 (no negative constraint).
B: (standard thermo) Digits on the thermometer must increase from the bulb end.
C: (modified sandwich) Clues outside the grid give the sum of the digits sandwiched between the lowest and the highest digit in that row/column.
D: (standard kropki) Digits connected by a black dot have ratio 1:2, digits connected by a white dot are consecutive (no negative constraint).
E: (standard arrow) Digits on the arrow must sum to the digit in its circle.
F: (standard x-sums) Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of the first x digits in the row/column from that direction, where x is the first digit.
Enjoy the puzzle, comments of any kind are wellcome!
penpa+ link
sudokupad link
Solution code: Order the grids A-F from up to down and left to right as they appear in the final arrangement and write their 1st rows in that order (no spaces or commas, just 24 digits). For instance, for the arrangement in the example above the code would be "123413272564987546597893".
Comments
on 4. June 2024, 10:07 by The Book Wyrm
Ok, wow, this is cool. A lot easier than I expected it to be (though still a bit tough, of course).
Very unique and interesting logic involved in figuring out how fit the grids together, which was really cool.
on 1. June 2024, 10:52 by filuta
fixed example links
on 1. June 2024, 09:29 by filuta
fixed/added links
on 24. April 2024, 17:01 by Silverstep
Surprisingly easier than I thought! Unlike other filuta puzzles like Castle In The Sky or Friends In Unknown Lands v1 which are usually 6 stars out of 5, this one caps out at 5 stars, which is a relief. I don't think my brain can handle that many 6-starers in a single month.
The break-in is very intricate and mesmerizing. If you like this puzzle I would recommend an easier one by IcyFruit, called "The Big One".
on 26. February 2024, 14:40 by Yann
Very tricky innocent-looking puzzle ! The geometry is wonderful, and it really isn't that hard !
Thanks for this surprising sudoku !
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Thanks a lot, Yann!
on 2. July 2022, 20:50 by Vebby
Oof, that was very hard in terms of what to focus on, but looking back each individual step wasn't too hard. I applaud the creativity it took to come up with this. Thanks filuta! :)
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Thanks a lot!
on 2. July 2022, 16:38 by Piatato
Amazing puzzle, with a very sneaky last deduction after a lot of very fascinating logic! :-D
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Thank you so much, hopefully worthy final boss (so far) for you.
on 24. January 2022, 17:05 by Kafkapharnaum
Well, I did it, but it almost drove me insane! Even after finally finding the solution (with a hint... so disappointed in myself there...), I still ended up failing the solution code like 5 times lol
That was amazing. I hope the comments with regards to its trickiness don't scare other solvers from trying that absolutely glorious puzzle
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yeah, congrats on the solve, and thanks for such a nice comment!
on 15. September 2021, 01:07 by filuta
changed difficuly, modified one of the examples to cover one more special case, thanks to DiMono for the suggestion
on 15. September 2021, 00:49 by DiMono
This was a wonderfully intricate puzzle. Definitely more difficult than 3/5 stars. There's a lot to figure out here. I'm glad my puzzle inspired you to create this!
