Think you can break in? (FOW)
(Published on 17. August 2024, 02:06 by antiknight)
I have designed a Sudoku puzzle that combines killer cages and Antiknight constraints with fog of war! The break-in can be considered 3.5 stars for difficulty, while the rest of the solve is around high 3 stars. Enjoy solving the puzzle, and please leave a comment if you manage to break in successfully! This is a polished version of an earlier puzzle that I have posted.
Rules:
1) Normal Sudoku rules apply:
Place the digits 1-9 into each cell of the grid. None of the rows, columns or boldly outlined 3x3 boxes contain repeated digits.
2) Knight's move rules apply:
Digits must not repeat in cells that are a chess knight's move apart.
3) Standard Killer Cages rules apply:
Every Killer Cage is correctly clued at the highest, leftmost cell. The digits in a cage must sum to the number printed in its corner. Digits may not repeat within a cage.
4) Standard German Whisper rules apply:
Adjacent digits along each green German whisper line must have a difference of at least 5. Lines and cages do not overlap.
5) Fog of War rules apply:
The grid is partially covered with fog. Correctly placed digits will clear the fog around that cell.
Solve Online:
CTC App Link
Solution code: Row 9
Comments
on 30. December 2024, 19:34 by BenTen
It took me a while (too long!) to find that opening, but very satisfying to finally clear the fog!
Excellent puzzle; really enjoyable.
on 21. December 2024, 10:57 by TheNineElements
Solve Time: 48:42
I rated this 4/5 difficulty.
Wow, very cool antiknight puzzle. The break-in was great and rewarding, and the anti-knight tricks following the initial break-in were cleverly set and genius. I think this is an excellent showcase of what an anti-knight restriction puzzle can produce - and I thought the whole concept was very well executed from start to finish. The break in as a whole is one of the best I've ever seen for an antiknight puzzle, and felt very well coordinated and used tricks that I haven't really seen in other sudokus. When I originally read that the puzzle had whispers, I thought this would have similar concepts to Phistomefel's 'Whispering Knight' puzzle (which is an excellent puzzle), but the logic was totally different and really showcased a different perspective.
I thought the initial break-in itself was fairly tough (maybe 4/5 difficulty), but the subsequent phase with the initial whispers was closer to 3/5 difficulty. After I progressed about halfway through the puzzle (around 30-35 minutes in for me), I got very stuck and spent probably 10 minutes unable to proceed. After I finally spotted an elimination from the center of the puzzle I was able to solve the remaining part of the puzzle without too much difficulty.
As such, I think the mid game was close to 4/5 difficulty for me. This tilted my rating to 4/5 difficulty overall.
Overall, excellent puzzle. I enjoy FoW variants (especially more difficult ones), and this was a very nice experience to solve.
on 24. November 2024, 22:23 by timotab
what a fantastic puzzle!
- Thanks!
on 30. August 2024, 19:51 by Snookerfan
Brilliant puzzle, especially the first digit was very satiffying. Thank you
- Thanks for your comment!
on 28. August 2024, 23:43 by Chipmunk
Really fun break in!! Thank you!
- I'm glad you liked the break in :)
on 22. August 2024, 08:20 by Nylimb
I looked at this on Aug 8; I know because I saved a screenshot. At the time I got nowhere, but later I thought about it offline and figured out the first breakin. But then I couldn't find the puzzle. Today I see that it was republished after Aug 8. I'm curious to know what happened to the original.
As for solving it, that took me almost 4 hours. I must have missed the second breakin, because I only got to the end after multiple bifurcations. Oh well, I do that a lot.
Thanks for the puzzle.
- I've replaced the original puzzle with this updated, smoother version. The first puzzle was logical, but this one offers a clearer solution path without the need for bifurcation. If you need any guidance, feel free to message me on Discord @ak999.
on 21. August 2024, 22:44 by ostio456
As someone who is used to solving 2/3* puzzles, and that tends to avoid anti-knight, this really wasn't a normal puzzle for me to attempt. However, the title intrigued me and so i went for it, and after 30 minutes i got the break in, how fabulous! Now, despite having solved hundreds of puzzles of all kinds of constraints, my lack of experience in anti-knight meant i struggled with one or two of the deduction. However, if you're like me, i would suggest looking up some anti-knight techniques on youtube. Some help from the CTC discord and from the OP and i finally has completed my first 4* puzzle. Thank you very much for setting such a great puzle!
- I'm glad you got through it! You're welcome :)
on 21. August 2024, 17:12 by QuiltyAsCharged
Fantastic! I love how impossible the opening looks until you suss out what's happening
- That's how it seems at first glance, which is why I chose this title for the puzzle. Thanks for your comment!
on 21. August 2024, 01:50 by wenchang
NICE break-in. Spoiler alert. https://youtu.be/OyvaNpvVzeU
- I appreciate it and thanks for solving!
on 19. August 2024, 21:40 by johncj
Loved it! A puzzle with two break ins almost. Actually the second one took longer than the first.
- I'm glad it was to your liking. I appreciate your comment.
on 19. August 2024, 02:56 by OGRussHood
Sublime genius!
- Thanks for the high praise! I'm glad you enjoyed the puzzle.
on 18. August 2024, 09:42 by Deino42
It took me a little over an hour, a very satisfying puzzle and the first break in only took me 10 minutes. I did get stuck about halfway through, and I’m not sure if there was an intended second break-in or if I spent too long on something simple. Regardless, both felt very rewarding
- Thanks for your comment! There is an intended path, of course. If you'd like to know more about it, feel free to message me on Discord @ak999
on 18. August 2024, 07:18 by fitzie
i normally stick to 2 star puzzles, but with a title like that I thought I'd give it a shot. the break-in was easy once you give up trying all the wrong ways to break in :)
- I'm glad you decided to give it a shot! The break-in does have an intended way to tackle it, and it’s great to hear you found it after exploring a bit!
on 18. August 2024, 06:30 by theParad0x
Wow, the first digit was so satisfying to get it! And the puzzle continued being rewarding afterwards, great puzzle. Thanks for sharing.
- I'm glad you've enjoyed the puzzle.
on 17. August 2024, 18:03 by antiknight
Thanks all for the kind comments!
on 17. August 2024, 14:07 by japanoise_breakfast
Lovely break-in, and the rest also held up very well :).
on 17. August 2024, 10:48 by Steven R
Very clever
on 17. August 2024, 04:12 by rameshsrivats
Terrific puzzle. Fantastic break-in.
on 17. August 2024, 03:23 by smckinley
Very nice break-in, thanks!
