Opposite X-sum
(Published on 25. October 2022, 22:15 by bigger)
The idea comes from Filuta
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.
The arrow indicates the sum of the first x cells in the arrow direction is the number(s) at the end of the direction, read towards arrow, where x is the first cell the arrow sees.
All possible arrows are given.
6 months, hmmm. I think this is probably the last time I copied any setters idea here, unless i have the same motivation to check every new puzzles as before. I think at that time, i want to support setters i like fast. The deadline is real. If i’m not fast enough, there’s a high chance i might not see any follow up, which is the Old Miles case, nobody request, no follow up. But later, it proves i’m capable to form ideas without seeing any new ideas. My rules writing armory is full enough to deal with any circumstance i face. Every puzzle Old Miles or I set shows possibility, if i remember. Every puzzles is set on a mood. I don’t think i can go back into my mood 6 months ago. But i do remember one thing, i need to solve less before i post this puzzle, or i’ll never find from which puzzle i copy.
The thing is I don’t remember the original puzzle solves like, nor this one. I need to check my chat with Old Miles to get a glimpse of my understanding then. Main complaint, that’s a fail negative restraint. It’s not satisfying, not memorable. Future prove needed to prove good negative restraint is possible. I need to know is it just because it’s a x-sum or a sum that makes it this way. Why i’m future commenting my puzzles again.
At that time, i probably would say the setter didn’t realize how this would revolutionize the whole idea forming process. But after all these years, i found maybe Old Miles and I are the only two people who can see it this way. Especially after reactivating and checking my diary, i notice i used to think i can find more people who share similar view as i am, mainly proving variants is never dead. After some time, i found maybe Old Miles and I are the only two people who believe this, which is probably the reason why i turn to diary. Talking to past me is interesting.
Solution code: Row 5 and column 5(18 digits)
Comments
on 27. October 2022, 17:42 by Piatato
Nice ruleset and puzzle! I agree that the negative constraint didn't add that much interesting logic. It would be interesting to see if it could be utilized more, or perhaps what a puzzle without a negative constraint would look like — I imagine that I might prefer that.
bigger:i think you miss the point. for me, negative restraint is the best way to evaluate an idea. a working restraint means this idea is accessible to a lot of solvers and i can still dig deeper. but when i set this puzzle, the result is depressing. a lot arrows point to 23, and only 123 at the brim can be pointed at. sure there can be exception, but the sum is there amd i can't beat a possibility that's too favor to double digit. one row and one diagonal is probably the best i can do. this means it's highly unlikely to add more arrows. and even with this few clues, the negative restraint is still overshadowed by sudoku tricks, i don't think anyone think caculating x-sum is faster than basic sudoku. maybe it might work in 6x6 where the calculation is small, but 9x9 is not a good idea.
for me, this puzzle means every outside clues can be turned into inside with no given digits. it's just up to me how to fix the rule to make a good negative restraint.
