Swirlies
(Published on 11. March 2025, 10:39 by PhoenixAki)
- Normal sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-9 in each row, column, and 3x3 box without repetition.
- Thermometers: Digits on grey thermometers must increase from the bulb to the tip.
- German Whispers: Adjacent digits on a green line must have a difference of at least 5.
- Killer Cages: Digits in dotted-line cages must sum to the number in the top left corner of the cage, if given.
- X Pairs: Digits separated by an X sum to 10.
- Inequality: Inequality symbols (^) point to the lower of two digits.
Visual impairment friendly version: here. This version has text abbreviations specifying which rule each type of line is. GW for German whisper, TH for thermometer.
To increase accessibility to my puzzles, I include hints in my puzzle posts (see below) and also post solution videos which guide you through the hints on my YouTube channel. If you'd like to solve this in your own video, go ahead! But ideally, let me know here or via Discord (same username) if you do ^.^
Hint 1: There's a few digits in row 5 that are very difficult to place with all the thermometers placed. There's also some free digits in the German whisper boxes.
Hint 2: Focus on rows 4-6, all of the thermometers are resolvable before moving on to the rest of the puzzle. Focus on where the low digits must go, and if needed, be generous with your pencilmarking. Always make sure the low and high pencilmarks on each thermo are adjusted as you place digits.
Hint 3: If you're stuck resolving the German whisper in box 3, keep an eye out for a sneaky naked single in one of the lower rows. That will help resolve the cages in box 9, which in turn helps with box 3.
Solution code: Row 2 from left to right (9 digits).
Comments
on 12. January 2026, 02:05 by PhoenixAki
Added hints after learning recently how to do that in HTML. Wish I knew this last week when I went over all my posts...oh well.
on 4. January 2026, 19:41 by PhoenixAki
Updated post as part of an effort to improve consistency of rule phrasing and post layout across all my puzzles. I also included a link to a second version of the puzzle that's more accessible to solvers with visual impairments such as colorblindness.
on 8. May 2025, 17:25 by phs
Great construction, thanks!
on 4. April 2025, 19:58 by PhoenixAki
added link to newest puzzle
on 22. March 2025, 07:45 by Lovejoy
This is a very cool puzzle that keeps on giving in unexpected ways.Very clever constructing. One of my favourites here
on 12. March 2025, 02:52 by VitP
title has more than cosmetic significance
on 11. March 2025, 18:58 by sahi1l
Oh I loved that! Lots of little "aha!" moments.
on 11. March 2025, 13:29 by Garizon
Very nice construction. Thank you for sharing.
