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Theme: The Magic of 23

Author/Opus: This is the 31st puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Serkan Yürekli.

Rules: In this variation of Nurikabe, the no 2×2 ocean rule is removed and instead all ocean cells must belong to a single closed loop.

Specifically: Divide the grid into regions called “islands”, each containing exactly one of the given numbers and with the same area as that number. Islands can only touch diagonally. A single closed loop (without intersection or crossings) must be drawn in all remaining cells.

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. This example has the key “12,3”.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:45, Master = 6:30, Expert = 13:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for classic Nurikabe puzzles on this website and this link for other variations on Nurikabe puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Nurikabe puzzles to get started on.

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Theme: Diagonal Series

Author/Opus: This is the 163rd puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Cave rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the cave segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 3:30, Master = 5:45, Expert = 11:30

Solution: PDF; a solution video is available here.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Caves. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Cave Puzzles to get started on.

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Theme: P is for Prime

Author/Opus: This is the 90.5th* puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes. (*we enumerated wrong a long time ago and can’t fully adjust now)

Rules: Standard TomTom rules, using the indicated set of integers {2,3,5,7,11,13}.

Answer String: Enter the 3rd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th row from left to right. Use both digits for any two digit numbers (for instance “23571113,…”)

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 3:30, Expert = 7:00

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.

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or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between Sudoku = big entries and Number candidate = small entries in the corners of cells.)

Theme: Diagonal Series

Author/Opus: This is the 162nd puzzle from Thomas Snyder aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Tight Fit Sudoku rules. Remember, the smaller number goes above the larger number in all slashed cells. The range of this puzzle is 1-9.

Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 6th row from left to right. (Note: for the tight fit cells, enter the top before the bottom as would be normal for the read order.)

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:00, Master = 3:00, Expert = 6:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Tight Fit Sudoku puzzles on this website. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Tight Fit Sudoku to get started on. More Tight Fit Sudoku can be found in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli and in The Art of Sudoku 2.

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Theme: An Odd Introduction

Author/Opus: This is the 30th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Serkan Yürekli.

Rules: In this variation of Nurikabe, the no 2×2 ocean rule is removed and instead all ocean cells must belong to a single closed loop.

Specifically: Divide the grid into regions called “islands”, each containing exactly one of the given numbers and with the same area as that number. Islands can only touch diagonally. A single closed loop (without intersection or crossings) must be drawn in all remaining cells.

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. This example has the key “12,3”.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 0:45, Master = 1:20, Expert = 2:40

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for classic Nurikabe puzzles on this website and this link for other variations on Nurikabe puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Nurikabe puzzles to get started on.

All the puzzles from Kurotto week have been grouped in this PDF.

Next week will be another variety week with these puzzles (highlight to view):

Monday: Nurikabe Loop by Serkan Yürekli
Tuesday: Tight Fit Sudoku by Thomas Snyder
Wednesday: TomTom by Grant Fikes
Thursday: Cave by Thomas Snyder
Friday: Nurikabe Loop by Serkan Yürekli
Saturday: Statue Park by Prasanna Seshadri

The bonus puzzle for our high-level supporters will be a Fillomino by Grant Fikes. Next weekend marks the next time that rewards will get processed, so if you don’t want to miss some things like a Giant (64×50) LITS puzzle from Grant Fikes, puzzle solution videos, or the Masyu and Slitherlink collection from The Art of Puzzles you should be sure to sponsor us before March. Thanks to all of you who are already patrons.

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

Theme: Verticality

Author/Opus: This is the 12th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Standard Kurotto rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the shaded segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:00, Master = 6:00, Expert = 12:00

Solution: PDF

Note: This is our first week of Kurotto puzzles. Follow this link for other Kurotto puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Kurotto to get started on.

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

Theme: Even Dominoes

Author/Opus: This is the 1st puzzle from guest contributor Murat Can Tonta.

Rules: Standard Kurotto rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the shaded segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:45, Master = 4:30, Expert = 9:00

Solution: PDF

Note: This is our first week of Kurotto puzzles. Follow this link for other Kurotto puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Kurotto to get started on.

PDF

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

Theme: Knight Moves

Author/Opus: This is the 90th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.

Rules: Standard Kurotto rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the shaded segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:00, Master = 3:00, Expert = 6:00

Solution: PDF

Note: This is our first week of Kurotto puzzles. Follow this link for other Kurotto puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Kurotto to get started on.

PDF

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

Theme: Four Squares

Author/Opus: This is the 29th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Serkan Yürekli.

Rules: Standard Kurotto rules.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the shaded segments from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:20, Master = 2:15, Expert = 4:30

Solution: PDF

Note: This is our first week of Kurotto puzzles. Follow this link for other Kurotto puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Kurotto to get started on.