Tales of Brave Ulysses
(Published on 18. May 2022, 01:01 by mith)
by Philip Newman
Normal sudoku rules apply.
Digits in cages cannot repeat and must sum to the total given.
Play on f-puzzles
CTC App
This puzzle is from a series of "nerd snipe" constructions, originally posted on the CTC fan discord server. Last summer, I took on a week-long quest to find the killer sudoku with the fewest caged cells, resulting in what is perhaps the best puzzle I have ever constructed: White Room, with only 18 caged cells. (This is believed to be the minimum possible. If a 17-cell killer exists, it would imply a 17-given classic which has not yet been found, and it is increasingly unlikely that any more remain to be found.)
Along the way, I also lowered the record for fewest cages to 7. After discovering White Room, I found it could be easily modified for a 7-cage, 18-cell puzzle. This is that modified puzzle. If you have already solved White Room, much of the solve will be very familiar! If not, definitely give it a try before watching Simon's solve of White Room linked above.
Solution code: Row 1, followed by column 1
Comments
on 16. May 2024, 16:01 by styngerr
Stumbled upon this puzzle, thought I'd give it a try, and I was not disappointed in the slightest! Beautiful solve, the break-in was a lot of fun to figure out and it flowed wonderfully from there!
on 21. May 2022, 14:09 by mathpesto
Wow, what a brilliant construction! Oftentimes puzzles with such minimal information run the risk of requiring long chains of deductions to get anywhere, but I was blown away by how smooth this solve was. Would love to see Simon or Mark feature this one!
on 20. May 2022, 08:59 by Raumplaner
Thanks so much for this Philip. Your puzzles are a true inspiration.
on 20. May 2022, 02:30 by sacklunch
Absolutely elegant. Amazing puzzle, thanks!
on 19. May 2022, 18:37 by wildhound007
Wow. Loved it.
on 19. May 2022, 14:53 by Cane_Puzzles
Out of all the puzzles that have amazed me with how minimal they are, this one is certainly the smoothest and most beautiful one. One of my all-time favorites.
on 19. May 2022, 05:08 by Orpheus
Wow... Just Wow!!
on 19. May 2022, 01:01 by Agent
Nice minimalistic puzzle with a beautiful solution path :)
on 18. May 2022, 13:34 by kolot
This is a very impressive achivement. I completely agree with Playmaker6174. To have such a beautiful solution path with such a minimal setting is impressive.
on 18. May 2022, 12:19 by DVFrank
Just lovely! :^)
on 18. May 2022, 10:22 by Playmaker6174
Absolutely wonderful puzzle! To produce a FULLY logical path from this merely minimal construction is such an impressive achievement ;)
on 18. May 2022, 02:07 by arbitrary
Remarkable. Congratulations.
