Midstream
(Published on 5. December 2025, 00:09 by jwsinclair)
Midstream, by James Sinclair
Normal sudoku rules apply, and all clues are standard.
Renban lines: purple lines contain a non-repeating set of consecutive digits in any order.
Quadruple circles: a digit inside a white circle must appear in at least one of the four cells surrounding that circle (if a digit repeats in the circle, it must appear twice).
Play online
Originally published in Artisanal Sudoku, Volume 202. I cross-post Artisanal Sudoku puzzles here from time to time, and they're usually among the tougher ones, because those tend to be my favorites (and also because I know how much folks around here like tough puzzles). But there are plenty of 1* puzzles in the newsletter too, so I thought I'd post this one as an example. Enjoy!
Solution code: row 3
Comments
on 9. December 2025, 18:06 by Playmaker6174
[zoom zoom]
That was lots of fun :)
on 7. December 2025, 11:23 by TomMalufe
I loved how this puzzle just sort of falls into place once you break in. Also, the break in was fun but not too hard, which was exactly what I was looking for in a puzzle today. Thank!
on 7. December 2025, 02:38 by Ganbatte
Hard at first for me. Took about 45 minutes. I enjoyed the challenge, thank you!
on 5. December 2025, 18:41 by TheJRMY
I completed this one when it was in the newsletter, but I do love it when you post them here so they are in my statistics. I solve all of the puzzles in the newsletter every time…except that one with the series of really hard ones. I only solved one or two of those.
on 5. December 2025, 14:52 by marcmees
Solving this puzzle feels like travelling 1st class on a high speed train. Thanks
on 5. December 2025, 10:28 by HumanBirdsong
You have a genuine talent for finding new and beautiful pathways using simple constraints. It's a pleasure to receive the newsletter each Monday and to sit down with these puzzles over lunch!
on 5. December 2025, 07:00 by wuc
The ideas are approachable and brilliant. What a way to start the day thx.
on 5. December 2025, 05:23 by macintux
First glance, I had no clue how to get started, but after scratching my head for a while the light dawned and the race began. Amazing symmetry throughout.
on 5. December 2025, 05:17 by BKKGarrett
Very fun puzzle! It had a very interesting symmetry to it where with every move I made I had to make sure to do the same on the opposite side.
