PolyLine Loop (with ChinStrap)
(Published on 26. February 2025, 15:06 by gdc)
This puzzle was created as a collaboration with ChinStrap for a setting challenge by aqjhs. The challenge was to make a puzzle that uses polylines. See below for an example puzzle. Thanks to the CtC fan discord for testing and feedback. Hope you enjoy!
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- Loop: Draw a 1-cell wide loop of orthogonally connected cells. The loop can't touch itself, not even diagonally. Box borders split the loop into segments. Each segment has exactly one of the 3 segment types below. Adjacent segments have different types.
- Sum Segment: Digits on the segment sum to 17.
- Whisper Segment: Adjacent digits along the segment differ by 5 or more.
- Renban Segment: Digits on the segment are consecutive when sorted.
- Odd Lots: A digit in a circle is on the loop and counts the number of odd digits on its segment.
- Even Lots: A digit in a square is on the loop and counts the number of even digits on its segment.
Example Puzzle
This 6x9 grid contains a loop that satisfies the rules above. The segments have been colored in green (whisper), pink (renban) and blue (sum). Adjacent segments (that "touch" at a box border) have different types. Digits in circles count the number of odd digits on the segment, but don't have to be odd themselves. The same is true for squares and even digits.
Solution code: Digits on the loop in column 9, top to bottom.
Comments
on 28. February 2025, 21:44 by Neokart
Very nice puzzle. I love seeing the logic of polylines in new and original ways. This construction is wonderful and very entertaining.
on 28. February 2025, 17:43 by davidemsa
Great puzzle. There's some cool deductions.
on 28. February 2025, 17:13 by gdc
Add the following to the rules (in SudokuPad) to stress things that are easy to miss (or make wrong assumptions about).
Remarks: Digits in circles don't have to be odd. Segments that touch have different types.
on 28. February 2025, 16:16 by greyhathero
Brilliant. Was stuck forever until I reread the rules and realized two types can't be consecutive. Then smooth sailing
on 27. February 2025, 00:31 by Tank
Wow, just wow. Such a great puzzle, very challenging but so rewarding. Very satisfying solve.
on 26. February 2025, 20:37 by harwiltz
Lots of fun, this puzzle is underrated. Thought I broke it a few times, but it was just sneaky :)
on 26. February 2025, 17:20 by 9Rookienumbers
Incredible construction, entertaining from start to finish. Perfection
on 26. February 2025, 16:33 by aqjhs
it's all i ever asked for and more!
on 26. February 2025, 16:24 by Snookerfan
Sublime and great fun! Put together with great attention to detail to give the solver an interesting experience all the way. Thank you
on 26. February 2025, 15:25 by Calvinball
Instantly a fan of polylines after this. A lot of the boxes felt like mini games within the overall puzzle, which kept the whole puzzle engaging and refreshing.
on 26. February 2025, 15:20 by ChinStrap
Thank you for letting me join you on this. Was a wonderful time as always!
