1. Cluster, by Raumplaner
Normal sudoku rules apply (fill each row, column, and 3x3 box with the digits 1-9 once each), and all clues are standard.
Cages: the sum of the digits inside each cage is equal to the small number in the top left corner.
Digits in cells separated by a white dot are consecutive.
Very rough difficulty estimate: 3/10
Play online: SudokuPad | unshaded
New to variant sudoku? Check out these beginner-friendly guides to cages and other popular rulesets.
2. Side Eye
Normal sudoku rules apply (fill each row, column, and 3x3 box with the digits 1-9 once each), and all clues are standard.
Region sum lines: box borders divide each blue line into segments with the same sum.
Digits in cells separated by a black dot have a 1:2 ratio.
Very rough difficulty estimate: 4/10
Play online: SudokuPad
3. Taking Stock
Check out this puzzle on ChattyKathy’s YouTube channel!
(And, if you missed it live, check out Kathy and Palfly Kampling solving puzzles from the Puzzler Pride pack on the SudokuCon Twitch channel.)
Normal sudoku rules apply (fill each row, column, and 3x3 box with the digits 1-9 once each), and all clues are standard.
Arrows: the sum of the digits along an arrow is equal to the digit in the connected circle.
Renban lines: purple lines contain a non-repeating set of consecutive digits in any order.
Very rough difficulty estimates: 9/10, 6/10
Play online: SudokuPad
Extra clues: SudokuPad
Some other puzzles I enjoyed this week:
Top Right Boi, by palpot
Top Right Boi, by PhoenixAki
Top Right Boi, by mellowrobinson
Thanks for subscribing to Artisanal Sudoku! Feedback is always appreciated, just leave a comment, reach out on Bluesky, or reply to this email. If you liked these puzzles, you probably know someone else who’d like them too, so please spread the word. If you’re interested in submitting a puzzle, click here for more information. And if you want to try more of my puzzles—many of which are tougher than the ones you’ll find here—check out my page on Logic Masters Deutschland.
This week’s meta-description:
In which I reference a meme but choose not to explain it, because that seems to be a key part of it.
For premium subscribers, hints and two more bonus puzzles are below. This week: yet another attempt to win over knight’s move skeptics.
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