The Puzzle Robot #17 – TomTom (NC-in-cage)
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Logic/New Variation
Rules: Standard TomTom rules, using digits from 1-6. Also, consecutive digits (for example, 2 and 3) are not allowed to share an edge inside a bold cage. Consecutive digits are allowed to touch along the bold borders that separate cages.
See also this example:
Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 2nd column from top to bottom.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 3:15, Expert = 6:30
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other classic TomTom. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest TomTom to get started on.
Saw an unusual “all at once break in” that I assume wasn’t the intended path:
Gur fhz bs gur tvira obkrf va gur evtug guerr pbyhzaf vf 55. Vs gurl jrer nyy fhzf, gurl jbhyq nqq gb 63. Gur “2” ng gur obggbz pna’g or n fhz, bs pbhefr. N srj bs gur bguref (yvxr gur 13 naq 9) unir gb or fhzf, ohg bguref pbhyq cbgragvnyyl or cebqhpgf. Vs nal bs gur bgure tviraf jrer cebqhpgf, gubhtu, gur npghny fhz bs gur ragevrf jbhyq or fznyyre guna gur fgngrq 55. (Sbe rknzcyr, vs gur 9 jrer “1313” gur fhz jbhyq bayl or 8, abg 9). Gur bayl jnl gb trg gur gbgny gb tb hc ol 8 vf gb znxr gur “2” n “64” fhogenpgvba naq znxr rirelguvat ryfr n fhz va gur evtug guerr pbyhzaf.
I had a tough time finding the logic to get started here. I felt like I was making long lists of cases and needing to check way too much, and even then I used uniqueness to avoid some of the checking.
After solving, though, I realized some obvious stuff that I missed the first time, like gur frg bs cbffvovyvgvrf sbe gur 2-pryy 9 pyhr orvat n tbbq jnl gb trg fgnegrq.
Jack’s strategy is very clever!
Gur zvqqyr 9 jnf pregnvayl jurer V fgnegrq, ohg gur ovttrfg cebterff pnzr sebz gura frrvat gur sbhe erznvavat qvtvgf va gung pbyhza oebxr vagb gjb pbafrphgvir frgf fb gung rknpgyl bar sebz bar/gjb naq bar sebz sbhe/svir arrqrq gb tb vagb gur gbc naq obggbz gurer. Bayl bar bs gur sbhe cnvef pbhyq znxr gur gbc 9 jbex.
I started with the middle 9, then simply worked everything out from right to left.