Balance Loop by Prasanna Seshadri
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)
Theme: Squares
Author/Opus: This is the 69th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.
Rules: (Standard Balance Loop rules.) Draw a single, non-intersecting loop that passes through all circled cells. All white circles must have equal segment lengths on both sides of the circle before turning. All black circles must have unequal segment lengths on both sides of the circle before turning. Numbers indicate the sum of the segment lengths on both sides of the circle.
Also, see this example:
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 “11,311”.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 3:30, Master = 5:45, Expert = 11:30
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other less common Loop variations.
I’m still loving this genre. Thanks, Prasanna!
One of my favorite parts about learning a new puzzle genre is the process of acquiring new intuition. But I didn’t do very well in this case as I managed to break this puzzle in 11 minutes, then in 6 minutes, and then again(!) in 5 minutes. Is it progress if I can make the same mistake faster and faster?
On my fourth attempt, I finally solved things correctly (18:22).
In spite of my flailing on this one, I still enjoyed the puzzle very much.
I have to echo Carl’s sentiments here. Loved this, especially the new types of deductions I had to work out for it.
I think I actually prefer this over Masyu. To echo a comment on the first Balance Loop puzzle it feels more balanced. (though my reasons are different, to me Masyu tends to be a lot more about “where does the path have to go” whereas Balance Loop tends to be more equally about that and “where can the path *not* go,” if that makes any sense at all.)
I look forward to seeing more of these in the future.
– Neelix
It seems that this is not the kind of logic my brain is made for… it took me what felt like forever to complete this and i was staring at a wrong solution for at least 15 minutes before i found the circle that was wrong..i am not sure how long the big x puzzle will take me, but given my time on this one i think it will be quite a while…
11:53.Interesting start as well as finish!
06:25.
I enjoyed that top-right corner, and an excellent puzzle overall. With this puzzle and the previous one, you proved that this genre has potential.
Balance Loop is now becoming one of my favorite puzzle types. 3.32 mins to solve this one.