The Negative Box
(Published on 6. February 2024, 14:40 by Bonehead)
I think the logic flows nicely on this one which is mainly an equal sum lines/killer cage variant with an extra negative values rule. Testing seemed to give this a rating of about 3 stars. Please enjoy.
Rules.
Classic sudoku rules apply.
Cages total to the value shown in their top left corner.
Blue lines are equal sums lines. The total of a line segment must be equal in each box the line passes through
There is a hidden negative 3 by 3 box somewhere in the grid where all the numbers count as the negative of the value in the cell, except for Sudoku purposes where the negative is ignored. The 3 by 3 area may or may not repeat values.
For clarity, if a cage or equal sum line is in, or partially in the negative box, only those values within the box count as negative.
The Puzzle.
CTC version with solution check here
Penpa+ version with answer check here
Please enjoy and comment if you like this. It is appreciated. Thank you.
Solution code: Row 6 as 9 digits with no spaces
Comments
on 6. February 2024, 18:19 by gfoot
Nice puzzle, there was a good flow throughout and deductions were not too hard to spot
@thanks gfoot
on 6. February 2024, 17:15 by ashisstuff
this was such a nice puzzle! the deductions around the negative box were so cool, and everything else was extremely satisfying. also, love how the given digit plays into it all.
@ashisstuff. Thankyou, it’s appreciated.
