Parallel Computing
(Published on 12. September 2022, 10:27 by martiangentleman)
F-Puzzles
CtC
There are two valid interdependent solutions to this puzzle. It is intended that both are solved in parallel. Comparing the two solutions, digits in equivalent cells have a difference of at least 2. The two cells marked by a cage contain a shared digit in ONLY ONE of the solutions. Otherwise, the following rules apply strictly to BOTH solutions. Normal Sudoku rules. Cells with blue squares always contain even digits. All jointly valid blue square clues are given. Digits in columns 1, 5 and 9 index the column number for digits 1, 5 and 9 respectively. Digits along a thermometer must increase as they move away from the bulb.
Solution code: Row 9 from both solutions (18 digits), starting with the solution that contains a lower digit in column 1.
Comments
on 15. November 2022, 22:25 by Niverio
Neat idea. I did think that the interactions between two grids could have been incorporated a little bit more, but fun solve still :D
And you should clarify the solution code that you mean R9C1 as the "small digit" :)
on 14. September 2022, 03:01 by martiangentleman
Now this has had a couple of solves. I'll give some info.
The random cage cell rule is there only for disambiguating the break in. Before you split the puzzle into parallel, the options for both caged cells can be eliminated down to 2 options.
I dont like the cage rule. And the puzzle will solve uniquely without it. Except the difficulty will be extreme and ambiguous! I I felt I had to add it to at least remove the ambiguity about which path to choose. The rule allows you early on to use both cages and solve paths, essentially halving the difficulty.
I know from setting this puzzle that the logic hangs on a knifes edge. Very little clues can be added that don't trivialize the solve or make it impossible.
on 13. September 2022, 17:28 by lesser_scholar
Cool concept! Pretty intensive puzzle. Definitely requires 2 separate browser windows for the parallel puzzles.
