The 2024 Tour de France starts today (Saturday), and I created this puzzle to celebrate the occasion.
This puzzle is designed to mimic a cycling race of four riders. Each line on the grid represents the path of a different rider, with points allocated differently to each rider (detailed in the rules). Note that the race results are provided in the rules, and the puzzle is meant to be solved with the outcome of the race in mind.
Enjoy the ride!
Solve online: SudokuPad
Rules:
Normal Sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-9 once in each row, column, and 3X3 box.
The following standard constraints apply: Dutch whisper, German whisper, Parity line, Ten line, Kropki, and XV. detailed rules below.
Stage Rules:
1. Paths and Riders:
Each line in the grid represents the path of a different rider:
- Yellow Rider (Dutch Whisper)
- Green Rider (German Whisper)
- Red Rider (Parity Line)
- Grey Rider (Ten Line)
2. Scoring System:
- Yellow Rider: Earns 1 point for every 5 on its path.
- Green Rider: Earns 1 point for every 4 or 6 on its path.
- Red Rider: Earns 1 point for every adjacent pair of consecutive digits along its path.
- Grey Rider: Earns 1 point for every 3-cell segment that sums to 10 along its path.
Stage Results:
1. Yellow Rider
2. Green Rider
3. Red Rider
4. Grey Rider
To clarify, first place scored the highest amount of points, second place scored the highest after that and so on. There are no draws.
Dutch whisper: Two cells connected by a Yellow line must have a difference of at least 4.
German whisper: Two cells connected by a Green line must have a difference of at least 5.
Parity line: Adjacent digits along the red line have a different odd/even parity.
Ten line: The Grey line must be divided into one or more contiguous groups of cells that each sum to 10. These groups of cells cannot overlap.
Kropki: Cells separated by a white dot must contain consecutive digits.
XV: Cells separated by X must sum to 10.
Not all dots and X's are necessarily given.
Solution code: Row 9 digits from left to right.
on 28. July 2024, 16:24 by QuiltyAsCharged
I really enjoyed this puzzle, very interesting twists and turns
on 5. July 2024, 11:30 by GeorgeTheToad2
Timely puzzle and nice idea for a break in. Thank you.
on 30. June 2024, 09:25 by Moe
Very nice
on 29. June 2024, 13:34 by DanishDynamite
Wonderful idea and symmetry. But a tough solve.