Stéphanedoku (Christmas in July)
(Published on 6. July 2022, 08:44 by BenceJoful)
Intro
At the end of 2020, the CTC Discord Server had it's first "Secret Santa" event, and after receiving the name "Stéphane", I Santa was excited to create a special puzzle for this pillar of the crazy sudoku ruleset community. It's be a while since then, but I think the puzzle still holds up, so I wanted to share it as a bit of "Christmas in July".
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Dear Stéphane, I see that you've been very good this year, especially in crafting and giving away beautiful slingshots. Somewhere, I overheard you say "I can only hope that it will inspire other setters to produce slingshot puzzles that will baffle me!" Well, I've prepared a very special one just for you - this slingshot can even send digits bouncing off walls! It's one-of-a-kind, so you'll probably want to write your name on it as soon as you can. Ho ho ho! Sincerely, Santa |
Puzzle Rules
Place the digits 1-9 in each of the eight regions so that no digits repeat along any of the three axes, unless separated by the central open space.
For example, digits cannot repeat anywhere in row 3, but might repeat in the "e" and "t" regions of row 4.
Where an arrow appears in a cell with value N, the value of the adjacent cell in front of the arrow is 'shot' in that direction N spaces, bouncing against borders as it goes. When a digits impacts a wall dead-on (r1c1 affecting r2c2 in the example), it bounces straight back (180 degrees), otherwise it rebounds at a 60 degree angle. See example, where cells shaded in the same color must always contain the same value.
All possible arrows are given.
Each region contains an invisible thermometer which corresponds to the letter given in the region. See diagram for exact thermo shapes. This thermometer may exist anywhere within the region, with any rotation (but not reflection). Digits along this thermometer must increase from the bulb(s) to the tip(s).
Special notes on thermometers:
- The "é" region has a 1 cell thermomenter, which does not limit the digits of that cell, but must fit in a valid cell on the board, in proper orientation to the rest of the letter.
- In the "p" region themo, the cell on the right of the bulb must be less than the cell below the bulb.
- In the "a" region thermo, the cell immediately below the bulb acts as a valve. It must be greater than the bulb and its two adjacent thermo cells, but has no effect on the two 'legs' of the A.
Solve on Penpa+ (includes answer check, which checks numbers only)
Example (Penpa+ link)
Solution code: Digits along lines A and B. In the above example, the solution code is 5641351264.
Comments
on 25. January 2023, 20:09 by szabog
This is a great puzzle! I do not understand why is there only one solution in the last half year, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
