Negative Constraints Galore
(Published on 15. October 2025, 07:08 by Oatmeal)
Negative Constraints Galore
Rules:
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- Digits separated by a black dot are in 1:2 ratio. Digits separated by a white dot are consecutive. ALL DOTS ARE GIVEN (negative constraint applies).
- Digits along a thermometer must strictly increase starting from the bulb end.
- Digits in a killer cage must sum to the value in the top left of the cage.
- Digits separated by an X sum to 10 but not all X's are given.
- Digits along an arrow must sum to the value of the digit in the circle.
Probably the hardest puzzle I have made, but still not too difficult. Feel free to post your completion time below
Solution code: Column 1 (top to bottom)
Comments
on 5. November 2025, 12:29 by Dialo_Malison
Wow! That was enormously fun and satisfying. I loved the way the way the pace started out slow and built speed as the solve progressed. Thank you!
on 3. November 2025, 14:57 by JVA
Cool puzzle, not as difficult as it looks, but perhaps a bit too much for 1*
on 2. November 2025, 20:47 by kross
The break-in took some extra head scratching, but after that everything fell into place very easily.
on 30. October 2025, 14:38 by Dramatiker
Wow this took me a while.... 41:57 of which were ~ 20 minutes finding the break-in :D
This was a very fun training on negative constraints and what to look out and different thought patterns. Thanks!
on 16. October 2025, 20:17 by josemadre
20:20 solid logic path!
on 16. October 2025, 19:38 by googuee
Very nice!
on 16. October 2025, 14:22 by Colellama
Awesome puzzle! This was a lot of fun to solve!
on 16. October 2025, 13:00 by guirigui
Wonderful puzzle, loved it
on 16. October 2025, 09:15 by Margrietina
Starting off, I thought to myself, how can it have just one star, but, looking at it and successfully breaking in thereafter, it indeed turned out to be a delicious easy treat to have with a morning coffee to turn the brain wheels on. :)
on 16. October 2025, 03:47 by theparadox
Great puzzle! I found it to be two stars but it was definitely fun.
on 15. October 2025, 22:35 by Yerel88
Very nice puzzle, could be a great introduction for negative constraints puzzle.
on 15. October 2025, 21:12 by damo_89
Very smooth negative constraint puzzle
on 15. October 2025, 18:04 by Myfyr MJ
Thought it was going to be tricky but clever use of the negative kropki constraint and the puzzle collapsed nicely. Lovely.
on 15. October 2025, 14:26 by Leodekri
I love negative constraints ! so thank you very much for this
on 15. October 2025, 13:30 by Br1312te
Fantastic puzzle! I can see how it was a hard puzzle to set, but the logic clicks very intuitively! Novel challenges, but also really smooth solving. Thanks <3
on 15. October 2025, 12:07 by 28righthand
That was surprisingly approachable.
Thank you - loved it!
on 15. October 2025, 10:34 by balele666
Very nice puzzle. I agree with the other comment, should be closer to 1 star instead of 2. Very intuitive
on 15. October 2025, 10:22 by akurski
Feels more like 1* to me — very smooth and both the break in and the final disambiguation felt satisfying
