The Puzzle Robot #16 – Surprise Sudoku

Sudoku by Serkan Yürekli

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Surprise Sudoku

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules. Also, there is a mystery rule that must be determined by looking at the example at the top of the puzzle.

Answer String: Enter the 1st row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 9th row from left to right.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 6:15, Master = 8:30, Expert = 17:00

Solution: PDF

Editorial Note: While this is an original sudoku for GM Puzzles, this particular “surprise” gimmick from Serkan first appeared on the SudokuCup 10 test with a different puzzle.

  • Nikolai says:

    Figuring out the mystery rule was great fun 🙂 After that, the solve was pretty fluid. Thanks for a nice puzzle!

  • Carl says:

    I’m guessing that many puzzlers could have figured out this rule even without looking at the example. At least it was my first guess when I glanced over the puzzle and hadn’t seen the example yet. Then again, not including the example would have opened up a lot more space for ambiguity.

  • skynet says:

    13mins.

  • hagriddler says:

    I must admit, the rule was NOT my first guess.
    I thought the outside numbers were Pebff gur Fgernzf pyhrf…
    If you (like I) need a hint, this may help :
    Jung qb nyy ebjf bs ubevmbagny bhgfvqr pyhrf unir va pbzzba ?
    Jung qb nyy pbyhzaf bs iregvpny bhgfvqr pyhrf unir va pbzzba ?
    (If hinting is not allowed please edit this post)

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