Comments and ratings are much appreciated, and please be sure to check out my other puzzles here.
Rules:
Normal sudoku rules apply.
x-sums: Numbers outside the grid show the sum of the first x digits from that direction, where x is the first of those digits.
n-cycles: Select a digit a in one of the rows or columns. Then go to position a of that row/column, which contains the digit b. Then go to position b of that row/column, which contains the digit c, and so on. An n-cycle is the set of n unique digits in this sequence. (See example below.)
Square: A cell containing a square and the digit n indicates that row has an n-cycle which includes the digit n in it.
Circle: A cell containing a circle and the digit n indicates that column has an n-cycle which includes the digit n in it.
Not all squares/circles are necessarily given.
Example:
The 2 takes us to the 5 in the 2nd position, which takes us to the 1 in the 5th position, which takes us back to the 2 in the 1st position. Therefore the green digits 2, 5, and 1 comprise a 3-cycle. The digit 3 is not part of this 3-cycle, so its cell cannot contain a square.
The 7 takes us to the 9 in the 7th position, which takes us to the 4 in the 9th position, which takes us to the 3 in the 4th position, which takes us back to the 7 in the 3rd position. Therefore the blue digits 7, 9, 4, and 3 comprise a 4-cycle. The digit 4 is part of this 4-cycle, so its cell can contain a square.
The 6 is already in the 6th position, so it is a 1-cycle. The same is true for the 8 in the 8th position. The digit 1 is not part of either 1-cycle, so its cell cannot contain a square.
SPOILER ALERT Walkthrough of Solution
Puzzle:
Solution code: Enter columns 4 and 7 (18 digits, no spaces)
on 29. July 2023, 21:47 by StephenR
Interesting ruleset once you get your head round it, thanks.
on 25. July 2023, 20:21 by samuel1997
Very innovative and interesting! And it is borderly approachable! Love it!
on 3. August 2022, 07:13 by wooferzfg
Very fun and smooth! And there was a nice variety of cycle deductions.
on 8. January 2022, 00:10 by mathpesto
Added walkthrough of solution.
on 7. January 2022, 17:15 by marcmees
nice combi with smooth logical flow. thanks.
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Thanks! -MathPesto
on 7. January 2022, 07:18 by twobear
Very smooth solve. Thank you!
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Thanks, @twobear. Glad to hear it! -MathPesto