Dr. Sudoku Prescribes #93 – Masyu (Total)
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in linex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
This is a “Twisted Tuesday” puzzle variation.
Theme: Totally symmetric?
Rules: Standard Masyu rules. Also, all possible white and black circles have been given. (In other words, the loop cannot turn in any unlabeled spot and then continue straight in the next two cells as that should be a black circle; the loop also cannot go straight in any unlabeled spot and then turn in one of the adjoining cells as that should be a white circle.)
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of the horizontal loop segments from left to right in the marked rows, starting at the top. If the loop only has vertical segments in the marked row, enter 0. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:30, Master = 4:00, Expert = 8:00
Solution: PDF
5:07
very nice variation. Realized knack at the start but applied in the end 🙁
Regards,
Ravi
It seems like every time I do a Total Masyu, I only have the glimmer of a memory of what the variant’s corrolaries are, and then spend a good portion of time relearning those two major rules, most of the rest of the time carefully applying those rules hoping they are as cut and dry as I’m making them, and the final minute confidently applying the rules.
Scott –
I agree 100% with your comments. I should keep a better “book” on the naturally flowing results of variant constraints. If so, my 6:35 time would have likely been in the 3’s or 4’s.
I guess that is why I am not a “Master” just a lowly expert … ahhh, my lot in life. The first step is acceptance.
Thanks for a fun puzzle anyway, Motris.
TheSubro
Not a bad puzzle. I’m just never a fan of nearly symmetrical solutions with nearly symmetrical givens.
11:39
Wow, I thought I had Masyu figured out after I created so many, but this one has me pulling out my hair!
I think the rule that I missed out on here is that it *could* go straight for a while as long as there are white circles just before each end of the straight segment. Somehow I had created the delusion that it could never go straight like that.