Thermo-Sudoku (Missing Bulbs) by Hans van Stippent
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Theme: Clown Face
Author/Opus: This is the 12th puzzle from guest contributor Hans van Stippent.
Rules: Standard Thermo-Sudoku rules. Also, the bulbs are missing from three of the thermometer shapes. These bulbs were positioned at one of the open ends of those thermometers.
Answer String: Enter the 2nd row from left to right, followed by a comma, followed by the 5th row from left to right.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 7:00, Master = 9:00, Expert = 18:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for more Thermo-Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Thermo-Sudoku to get started on. More Thermo-Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku 2.
That was a workout for me. Somehow i failed to see a logical step on the right side for an unbelievably long time, but it was very rewarding to find it eventually! Also, this puzzle fully justifies the use of thermo shapes vs signs, which could be used in a normal thermo sudoku, but not in this variant. Very nice puzzle with so few givens!
11:59 .I had the exact same difficulty having failed to spot a fairly straight-forward deduction which could help fill the thermo on the right top.This made the difference from a GM time.
A really cool and fun sudoku!