The idea comes from Ore.
Standard sudoku rules applies. Fill the grid with numbers from 1 to 9 so each digit occurs exactly once in every row, column and 3x3 box.
Sandwich:
Bars in the grid indicate the sum of all digits between 1 and 9 in that row/column. How does it work?
If a row/column contains 0 bars not pointing in it's direction, the sum of the digits between 1 and 9 in that row/column is 0.
If a row/column contains 1 cell with bar not pointing in it's direction, the sum or part of the sum of the digits between 1 and 9 in that row/column is equal to this clue.
If a row/column contains 2 cell(s) with bars not pointing in it's direction, the sum of the digits between 1 and 9 in that row/column is equal to the two-digit number compiled from these two clues. The last digit is marked by a bottom or right bar while the second to last, if there’s any, is marked by a top or left bar.(E.g. if the sum is 12 in a column, the digit 1 would have a top bar, digit 2 would have a bottom bar.)
All of those bars are given.
Have fun!
This puzzle is made by Old Miles from China. I’m just finishing completing this inner sandwich series. I know I could write the rules shorter, but, time to pay respect to the origin before I shake things up. A shorter version of the rule is the last part of the rule. Just think of it as the original rules plus order. Another reason why you should check the original puzzle.
A little more about this puzzle. Both Old Miles and I believe that pure inner sandwich does not work. It might makes a puzzle, but solving it is not that fun. I doubt anybody can spot a break in. Ore chose the little killer, interesting choice, kind of deserve it’s own puzzle. I can totally see somebody make a puzzle using only little killer sandwich. However, in my opinion, it just doesn’t go well with the negative restraint. You can’t put a all given rule for a little killer, the calculation will be really a big trouble.
Another thing is, this is not an easy rule. So we just try to make this idea more accessible. Old Miles’s choice is distinguishing each digit, and that, post a serious problem in presentation. He was originally using dots instead of bars to distinguish each digits. Trypophobia alert. If I decided, I would probably use 4 centrosymmetric pattern to balance each cell. But he ain’t using PS to set puzzles, so bar is the best option.
By the way, only 3 solves is a little bit ridiculous. If I had to guess, I think when searching for labels, he knows what he will get. And sandwich and little killer still has a long road to o beyond the calculation. A lot of setters using little killer or other outside clue as a way to avoid multiple solution also giving it a rep. And the thing is, it take a lot to apply negative restraint to the outside clues. Another reason is the rising of the Sudoku structure. I see SK and fish, I won’t be surprise if I see a JE3 in the future. But they are all in grid structure. Outside clues can’t do that. Also, from a big picture, I really don’t think there’re still that much people care about Sudoku variant. Most move on to other puzzle type and some just become full setters. I dare say, only Old Miles and I will call ourselves Sudoku variants lovers in China. I think I babble enough. More in the next one.
Solution code: row 8 and column 9(18 digits)
on 17. April 2022, 21:29 by Ore
Very nice! That's probably the first puzzle that was inspired by my idea. Thanks :-)
Here is Penpa+ link: https://tinyurl.com/yxpx5b5x
on 13. April 2022, 19:12 by Piatato
Nice and fun puzzle. Thanks!
on 13. April 2022, 02:14 by bigger
adding 'not'.