Rubber vs. glue (Slingshot/Killer/Sandwich)
(Published on 25. February 2024, 12:00 by dumediat)
In January 2024, I hosted a setting contest in the Sudoku Skunkworks, where setters were given 90 minutes to set a puzzle using one of their favorite constraints, along with one of their least favorite (these were submitted to me before the prompt was revealed). The prize for the winner was a personalized puzzle from me, but since there was such a close race between first and second place, I decided to create a puzzle for both of them. Second place was taken by mnasti2 with their puzzle Hook Shot, which I highly recommend!
This puzzle uses a twist on standard slingshot rules, where I explored what could happen if the arrows are aligned to throw multiple digits in the same direction. I hope you enjoy the result of this experimentation!
Ratings, comments, and feedback are much appreciated! Please feel free to reach out to me on Discord if you have any comments or questions. Please also feel free to try my other puzzles here.
Rules:
- Normal sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1 to 9 in the grid such that digits do not repeat in any row, column, or 3x3 box.
- Killer: Digits in cages must not repeat, and sum to the small number in the top left corner of the cage.
- Sandwich: Clues outside the grid indicate the sum of the digits between the 1 and the 9 in their corresponding row or column.
- Slingshot: Bent arrows are slingshot clues. The digit N in the cell adjacent to the tail end of the arrow must also appear at a distance of X cells in the direction of the arrow, where X is the number in the arrow's cell.
- The value of X may be greater than the number of cells from the arrow to the edge of the grid. In this case, if N is odd, it will 'bounce' off the edge of the grid and continue in the opposite direction; if N is even, it will 'stick' to the edge of the grid and be placed in that cell.
Links:
Penpa+: http://tinyurl.com/2yztrsmj
SudokuPad: https://sudokupad.app/vxysmuzvhu
In case it is helpful, the following is a visual example of how the 'bouncy' vs. 'sticky' slingshot clues work:
Solution code: Column 9 (9 digits)
Comments
on 3. June 2024, 10:33 by Christounet
Slick puzzle, thanks :)
on 26. February 2024, 18:39 by mathpesto
What a fun ruleset! really interesting twist on slingshots.
on 26. February 2024, 10:43 by fitzie
this puzzle was like a feast, lots of different bits to chew on, and it all came together perfectly, and there was a slight sense of relief when the dessert came.
on 26. February 2024, 05:47 by mnasti2
Fun twist and it all works very nicely together. Thanks!
on 25. February 2024, 21:25 by marcmees
very nice. thanks
on 25. February 2024, 18:20 by Fra314
Wow, this puzzle is nuts! You are too clever for my puny brain, but I got there eventually. Awesome work dumediat!
on 25. February 2024, 16:02 by Steven R
Fun puzzle :)
on 25. February 2024, 14:00 by MohitR
The example was very much helpful.
on 25. February 2024, 12:08 by Piatato
Fun interactions! :)
