Sticky Notes
(Published on 19. January 2026, 16:27 by jwsinclair)
Sticky Notes, by James Sinclair
Divide the grid into six orthogonally-connected six-cell regions, and place the digits 1-6 once in each row, column, and region.
Each region has a corresponding color. A note outside the grid indicates that the region of that color contains a run of one or more orthogonally-connected cells (bounded on either side by a region border or the edge of the grid) in that row or column, and the number in the note (if given) is the sum of the digits in these cells.
If a region contains multiple sets of orthogonally-connected cells in the same row or column, a note only applies to one of them.
When notes overlap, the note on top has a lower sum than the note immediately below (this applies even if a sum is hidden or not given).
SudokuPad | version with region labels
Originally published in Artisanal Sudoku, Volume 211. Thanks to Michael Lefkowitz for help with the visual design!
I'm setting the initial difficulty at 2* because I prefer to round up, but I won't be surprised if it winds up at 1*.
See also:
Solution code: row four, with a dash ("-") to indicate each region border
Comments
on 28. January 2026, 09:05 by BBaker1729
Spent a little while not getting very far - but what a great solve when I got going!
on 27. January 2026, 18:16 by pmakholm
Spend long time getting nowhere. But watching Simon solve Stickiest Notes I suddenly realized that I've reversed the overlapping rules.
And then it was a smooth and fun solve. Thanks.
on 26. January 2026, 23:53 by firespire
Didn't find it easy but I'm glad you made this small version for me to solve because I know the larger ones would be beyond my ability.
on 26. January 2026, 17:25 by Chilly
Super nice. Thanks
on 23. January 2026, 20:55 by Motty
A great puzzle! Original idea and very fun to solve.
on 21. January 2026, 11:47 by Dendr
At first, I read overlapping rule in reverse and spent an hour til I realised that. After that the solution was smooth.
on 21. January 2026, 01:45 by Crusader175
Very fun and interesting idea!
on 20. January 2026, 21:54 by TheJRMY
My brain hates chaos construction, but I successfully pulled it off.
on 20. January 2026, 20:55 by Prince Joffrey
So cute :-)
on 20. January 2026, 20:04 by JoBerlin
I really liked that the logic I needed to use felt very different from what I know from other chaos construction puzzles!
on 20. January 2026, 18:08 by Franjo
Thank you very much for creating and sharing this funny little puzzle.
on 20. January 2026, 10:54 by greemi01
what a fun puzzle
on 19. January 2026, 23:16 by jerbear29
lovely idea. definitely feels like it has legs
on 19. January 2026, 20:05 by sujoyku
Very nice puzzle! Thank you, jwsinclair!
on 19. January 2026, 19:35 by bboom
Fun little puzzle, looking forward to seeing the larger versions.
Also 'grid' in the rules is a strong word for a wonky set of sticky notes... :D
on 19. January 2026, 17:47 by Ambrose
A lovely satisfying warmup!
on 19. January 2026, 16:51 by PrimeWeasel
It had a kindergarten feel, very enjoyable, but definitely a 1 star
