Dutch Flat Mates (Pointer Arrows)
(Published on 3. July 2024, 11:30 by Flinty)
Initial Setter Difficulty: 2/5
Want a challenge?
Don't use the arrow in Box 8! The original, solvable, draft did not include the Box 8 arrow and the meaty part of the break-in is much different without it.
Normal Sudoku rules apply.
Place the digits 1-9 so that they do not repeat in any row, column, or 3x3 box.
5s live in Dutch Flats
Every 5 in the grid must have a 1 directly above it or a 9 directly below it. It may have both, but it doesn't need both.
Pointer Arrows
Digits along arrows sum to the value in the connected circle. Additionally, arrow tips point towards a cell containing the digit within the arrow's circle. The value in the arrow tip indicates the distance from the arrow tip to this cell.
Special Thanks
I believe this arbitrary puzzle is the origin of Pointer Arrows, with my awareness of this puzzle coming from the recorded live solve on the Sudoku Sleuth youtube channel.
Thank you to goodcity for last weeks puzzle, and for being integral to the series.
Big News!!
Next week we have a new setter joining the series!
It's a great puzzle from a great setter, but I won't spoil the surprise!
To play this puzzle please click here: Play CTC
Previous puzzles in the Dutch Flat Mates series:
- #01 - 18 Oct 23 - Classic
- #02 - 25 Oct 23 - Thermometers
- #03 - 01 Nov 23 - German Whispers
- #04 - 08 Nov 23 - Region Sum Lines
- #05 - 15 Nov 23 - Sandwich Sums
- #06 - 22 Nov 23 - Little Killer
- #07 - 29 Nov 23 - Kropki
- #08 - 05 Dec 23 - Zipper Lines
- #09 - 12 Dec 23 - Renban - By GoodCity
- #10 - 19 Dec 23 - Nabner - By GoodCity
- #11 - 26 Dec 23 - Skyscrapers - By GoodCity
- #12 - 03 Jan 24 - Dutch Whispers
- #13 - 10 Jan 24 - Killer Cages
- #14 - 17 Jan 24 - Arrows
- #15 - 24 Jan 24 - Ten Lines
- #16 - 31 Jan 24 - 159 Index and Even - By GoodCity
- #17 - 07 Feb 24 - Friendly Cells
- #18 - 14 Feb 24 - Quads
- #19 - 21 Feb 24 - Silent Killer - By GoodCity
- #20 - 28 Feb 24 - XV and Equality
- #21 - 06 Mar 24 - X-Sums
- #22 - 13 Mar 24 - Numbered Rooms - By GoodCity
- #23 - 20 Mar 24 - Diagonal X-Sums
- #24 - 27 Mar 24 - Yin Yang (Neighborhoods) - By Palpot
- #25 - 03 Apr 24 - Hit Points
- #26 - 10 Apr 24 - Counting Circles
- #27 - 17 Apr 24 - XY Difference - By GoodCity
- #28 - 24 Apr 24 - Double Sandwich Sums
- #29 - 01 May 24 - Foggy Knights
- #30 - 08 May 24 - Look and Say Little Killer
- #31 - 15 May 24 - Slingshot - By GoodCity
- #32 - 22 May 24 - 258 Index and Odd
- #33 - 29 May 24 - Rellik
- #34 - 05 Jun 24 - Search 9 - By Palpot
- #35 - 12 Jun 24 - Diagonal Outside
- #36 - 19 Jun 24 - Entropic Snake - Collab with Palpot
- #37 - 26 Jun 24 - Rossini - By GoodCity
Hint to Start
Some of the first digits are 'hopefully' easy due to the short space beyond the arrows. i.e R2C3 can only be a 1 as there isn't room to point further.
Eventually you will need to think about 5s and particularly their relationship with 9s.
This Weeks Puzzle
Solution code: Digits in Row 6.
Comments
on 13. August 2024, 05:13 by ChinStrap
Another lovely one but wish I had seen the note about challenge mode. Maybe I'll try to forget it and try again in a few weeks
on 4. July 2024, 05:16 by sorryimLate
Really nice and approachable even without box 8 arrow. Very clever break-in and super smooth afterwards. Thanks!
on 3. July 2024, 16:55 by marcmees
very nice. thanks
Flinty: Thank you :)
on 3. July 2024, 16:25 by johnreid
I took your advice and didn't use the box 8 arrow. Fun break in! Thanks for the puzzle!
Flinty: Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed the Director's Cut - haha - Thank you :)
on 3. July 2024, 15:25 by sujoyku
Thank you for another enjoyable edition of the Dutch flat mates series, Flinty! Although I have not been used to pointing arrows, this one was really approachable and fun all the way.
Flinty: Thank you :)
on 3. July 2024, 14:51 by PinkNickels
Flows quite nicely. Fun one over coffee!
Flinty: Thank you :)
