Bridges
(Published on 21. May 2022, 01:35 by Xenonetix)
- Every digit from 1 to 9 appears once in every row, column, and region. 9 regions are to be determined. Every region is a set of 9 orthogonally connected cells. One region border is given.
- 'Bridges' (====) connect two separate regions over a third region, and are the sum of the two adjacent cells at each end (e.g. 1-3-2). The region a 'bridge' travels over passes under the 'bridge' in both directions.
- Cells across VIs sum to 6. Every given VI is self-contained within a region.
Cracking The Cryptic (with answer check)
Penpa+ (with answer check)
Here's an example puzzle to demonstrate the rules:
Bridges is a Sudoku constraint I invented last year, but this is the first puzzle posted on LMD with it! Hope you enjoy playing 😄 - Any feedback and comments welcome!
Solution code: Row 5 (left to right) with dashes for region borders. (e.g. 123-4-56-789)
Comments
on 23. August 2022, 14:40 by Christounet
Great puzzle with a tough region building arouns mid solve. Thanks.
on 30. June 2022, 12:41 by SHERAX
One Of My Favorites. Took Me Days To Figure This One Out...Solved It!
on 17. June 2022, 07:28 by LittleBallOfPurr
That was tough, fantastic puzzle, really enjoyed the bridges. Thanks for the recommendation and puzzle, Xeno!
on 24. May 2022, 00:29 by wenchang
A little hard and struggling, while it is nice new rules.
https://youtu.be/-zqJsj-mcSI
on 23. May 2022, 14:27 by Bankey
Got it right on 3rd attempt! Fun puzzle. Thanks, @ Xenonetix :)
on 23. May 2022, 03:48 by Xenonetix
Thanks to everyone who solved so far! I did indeed keep the negative restraints to make this slightly easier with optional paths for solvers, but based on overwhelming feedback, I've decided to remove all negative restraints entirely. Fully updated rules and puzzle links!
on 22. May 2022, 06:30 by Bankey
@ Loktide thanks for clarifying the boundary between r1c1 and r2c1; as the rules didn't mention this, i took it to be a drawing error.
on 22. May 2022, 03:34 by kolot
After reading the comments, I wanted to challenge myself and tried to solve the puzzle not just without using the 2x2 rule but also without using the negative constraint on VIs. The puzzle solves uniquely without these rules but of course using these rules probably makes it easier. I think it was a fun solve without using these rules anyway.
on 21. May 2022, 11:19 by marcmees
Indeed little use of all negative constraints but nevertheless pleasant solve. thanks
on 21. May 2022, 11:05 by Loktide
Fun puzzle, first time I've played with the Bridges rule. Note that there IS a one cell region boundary at r1c1/r2c1.
on 21. May 2022, 05:52 by KNT
Interesting concept.. but way too many rules. I solved this without using the 2x2 constraint. I also think I only used the negative constraint on the VIs once, near the start.
