Negative Space
(Published on 26. December 2024, 02:35 by ViKingPrime)
PUZZLE:
RULES:
Normal
SUDOKU rules apply.
Values along an
ARROW sum to the value in its attached circle.
Cells along a green
GERMAN WHISPER line must differ in value by at least five [5].
Place
NEGATOR cells into the grid so that there is exactly one Negator cell in each row, column and box; each Negator cell must contain a different digit and has the negative value of the contained digit (e.g. a digit 5 within a Negator cell would count as -5).
Cages in the grid are either
KILLER cages within which cells must sum to the number in the top-left corner (if given);
and/or
LOOK-AND-SAY cages that read as a "look and say" indicating which values are in the cage (e.g. if the cage is clued as 21, there must be exactly two valid 1 values in the cage along with any combination of other values).
The dashed red
MAD FOLD-IN lines are folded onto each other so that column 1-2 and 8-9 form a 4x9 grid.
Arrows and cages must also be valid in the folded grid.
A cage may have a different identity depending on whether the grid is folded.
Digits may repeat in cages if allowed by other rules.
The grid is partially covered in
FOG; placing correct digits will clear the fog from the surrounding area.
Digits at the bottom of the grid have been provided for tracking purposes.
If you're curious about the Mad Fold-In rule, here are some puzzles from other setters using the same constraint:
"
Mad Arrows"
by gdc
"
Joined Peas"
by ChinStrap
...and the wonderful "
A Tribute to Al Jaffee"
by Gnubeutel, the creator of the rule.
Have fun!
Solution code: The value of each cell along Row 6, left-to-right (for negative values, place a "-" in front of the digit; e.g. 12-6543798)
Last changed on on 27. December 2024, 10:39
Solved by karlmortenlunna, ThePedallingPianist, roflsalot, gdc, jkuo7, jalebc, lmdemasi, marcmees, SKORP17, Vodakhan , KyubiBoy, Norkas, bilms, OrestisLomis, kublai, vitaminz, heliopolix , QuiltyAsCharged
Comments
on 25. January 2025, 01:27 by QuiltyAsCharged
Incredible puzzle with some fun surprises. Highly recommended!
on 23. January 2025, 20:43 by vitaminz
I haven't done everything in this series but I think this one is my favorite so far. Very smooth and well-telegraphed solve path.
on 27. December 2024, 10:38 by ViKingPrime
Updated link(s).
Last changed on 27. December 2024, 10:36on 27. December 2024, 07:41 by gdc
Very creative use of the fold-in rule! It works well with the theme of the secret series.