Compass Circles
(Published on 15. February 2026, 02:49 by marty_sears)
Rules:
Fill the grid with the digits 1-5 and the letters N, E, S and W so that no digit or letter repeats in any row, column or 3x3 box.
A small white dot sits between two digits that are consecutive.
Each purple circle contains a letter, and has an invisible straight arrow attached to it (arrow lengths are to be determined.) The letter in the circle indicates the direction its arrow points towards. (N = North, E = East, S = South, W = West.)
The invisible shafts of the arrows may only contain digits, and each arrow shaft has the same total, to be deduced. Arrows may not share cells.
Unfortunately on the mobile version you can't type all of the letters of the alphabet, so use A, B, C and D instead.
Solution code: DIGITS in column 7 reading downwards (ignore the letters)
Comments
on 16. February 2026, 21:21 by JRaunak
One of the greatest puzzles I've encountered so far. Great Job as always Marty
on 16. February 2026, 18:29 by blackjackfitz
Huzzah!
on 16. February 2026, 09:17 by Snookerfan
Happy birthday NEWS! Thanks for sharing this wonderful gift.
on 16. February 2026, 00:17 by SanFranSam
Okay. First 3* i have ever finished. 82 minutes Lots of checking. Three logical errors but I finished and am going to take the win anyway. I guess i get a participation trophy. ;)
on 15. February 2026, 20:37 by Franjo
What a wonderful present for NEWS! Thank you very much for creating and sharing this beautiful puzzle, and: Happy Birthday, NEWS!
on 15. February 2026, 19:26 by RichieRichWalker
Happy birthday NEWS!
Lovely puzzle.
@marty_sears, the rules should state that digits and letters may not repeat in rows, columns and boxes ^^
on 15. February 2026, 18:38 by Zanno
Very fun puzzle, thanks!
And Happy Birthday NEWS!
on 15. February 2026, 16:56 by QuiltyAsCharged
Thanks for including a mobile version! This was fun and not as easy as it first appeared.
I cheated a bit by drawing in the arrows which are supposed to be invisible :)
on 15. February 2026, 16:15 by Exigus
Had a great time, some coloring made it smooth. Thanks!
on 15. February 2026, 15:31 by kasperd
I assume the shaft sum to be deduced cannot be zero. As surely making it zero would not yield a unique solution.
Marty: every circle has an arrow with a shaft, and every arrow shaft must contain digits, and the digits are all 1-5 (no zeroes.) So no
on 15. February 2026, 15:30 by mscha
Very nice puzzle! It was relatively easy to get started, but I got stuck in the endgame for a while, so it does deserve its 3 stars.
Happy birthday to NEWS!
on 15. February 2026, 07:31 by Fisherman
Happy birthday. Don't forget Simon's perfectly iced topped cake.
Perfect puzzle and title for a very valuable member of this community.
