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: Big X
Author/Opus: This is the 70th 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 = 8:30, Master = 10:30, Expert = 21:00
Solution: PDF; a solution video is available here.
Note: Follow this link for other less common Loop variations.
31:03 A very satisfying puzzle. I loved watching the chain of deductions unfold during the opening, (and I was surprised at how much work remained to complete the puzzle after that).
Ok this puzzle was great! maybe i am getting used to the logic, this was much easier than i thought it would be after the previous one. Nice visual theme and nice to have a 13 by 13 grid on a friday the 13th 🙂 i would love to see more on this blog soon!
Maybe you’re just better off with the numerical aspect of the solve as compared to circle-interaction which the previous one was based on. There’s definitely always some level of getting used to a new set of rules.
Also, as a big fan of the number 13 (I think that’s been established previously), I’m a bit embarrassed that I didn’t notice this until you mentioned it. Thanks!
Yep, this new genre is really nice. I’m proud and happy to say that I manage to keep under the Expert time until now 😀
But the solving is still both pleasant and annoying, but it will surely disappear by getting used to see the distances.
And that big diagonal was really enjoyable.
20min.A very neat and elegant puzzle
10:50.
Bottom-left was hard. A very satisfying puzzle with a great theme.
Very nice puzzle. 8.12 for this one.