Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

Identical Sum Killer Cages

(Published on 9. January 2025, 23:21 by Justalilguy)

Rules

  • Normal sudoku rules apply.
  • Digits sum to the same number in all killer cages with dotted line.
  • Digits sum to the same number in all killer cages with solid grey line.
  • Digits in a killer cage do not repeat.


Play online in Sudokupad.

Solution code: Row 5


Solved by Piatato, ludvigr04, MontanaPearl, IveejNaris, Killer-Ly , jalebc, Statistica, Bjd, SKORP17, lianarox, hige, palpot, strangelyinsane, Calesch, Crul, jwsinclair, steperlich, trashghost, Schesam, ... mcs131313, madhupt, mew_rocks, goldennumber, OGRussHood, roelof, Chipmunk, cmoa, Illuminated, morgannamodeaura, QuiltyAsCharged, OldManJoe9, annnz, mcc, killer_rectangle, paranoid, pepe74287, Uhu
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Comments

Last changed on 12. January 2025, 06:52

on 12. January 2025, 06:40 by TheNineElements
Solve Time: 41:08

I rated this 3/5 diffculty.

Great puzzle! I really liked the logic for deducing both values for cage sums - particularly how dashed cages in boxes 1/2 and in boxes 6/9 have their symmetry broken by solid-outline cages in boxes 2/6. The clues in box 6 were definitely my favorite aspect of the puzzle.

The break-in (where I calculated each cage-type-sum into having only a few possible sums each) was very approachable/straightforward and was probably 1-2/5 difficulty. The following phase of the solve where I eliminated all but one sum possibility for each type was a bit harder, and was maybe 3/5 difficulty. Once I knew the cage sums for each type of cage, the remaining killer sudoku was probably around 2/5 difficulty for me. Overall the puzzle difficulrt was between a high 2* to a low 3*, leaning towards 3*.

My solve time was inflated due to me messing around with the built-in Sudokupad cage sum tool a lot throughout the solve, as well as taking a quick break midway through the solve without pausing the timer.

Overall the puzzle was approachable and very fun! I have solved a handful of puzzles where all cages had the same sum, but I believe this puzzle is the first I've attempted with TWO sum values - and I found this ruleset to be very interesting and engaging. Great job setting this puzzle - I really enjoyed it!

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Thank you for the detailed review! In the beginning when I was setting this I wanted to do a one total puzzle as well, but with very large cages. It turned out to be very difficult to force a unique solution so I decided to add another set of small cages which ended up interacting well in box 3 with the larges cages in box 1,2,6, and 9.

Last changed on 12. January 2025, 06:46

on 9. January 2025, 23:40 by Piatato
Excellent! Fun and elegant!
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Glad you liked it!

on 9. January 2025, 23:17 by Justalilguy
Estimated difficulty 2-3 stars. I wasn't sure.

Difficulty:3
Rating:92 %
Solved:54 times
Observed:3 times
ID:000LIQ

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