PDF

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: Anti-symmetry

Author/Opus: This is the 140th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Draw a single closed loop that passes vertically and horizontally through all cells. The loop must go through all of the given dots. When passing through a white dot, the number of cells on one side of the dot before turning must differ by 1 from the number of cells on the other side before turning. When passing through a black dot, the number of cells on one side of the dot before turning must be twice the number of cells on the other side before turning. (Not all possible dots are given; if a line crosses two dots, ignore the other dot and count cells as if it is not there.)

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.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:00, Master = 5:45, Expert = 11:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other less common Loop variations.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between ship placement and shading modes. In ship placement mode, right click gives sea, left click gives circle/square, left click and drag for rounded ships.)

Theme: Clue Symmetry and Logic

Author/Opus: This is the 139th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Standard Battleships rules. Also, the arrows point at the closest ship segment(s) from that cell. No ship segment can be placed in a cell with an arrow.

Answer String: For each row from top to bottom, enter the number of the first column from the left where a ship segment appears (enter both digits if a two-digit number). If the row is empty, enter 0. Enter these numbers as a single string with no separators.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:30, Master = 4:00, Expert = 8:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for more variations on Battleships and this link for classic Battleships. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Battleships to get started on. More Battleships puzzles can be found in The Art of Puzzles collection.

PDF

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

Theme: Logical

Author/Opus: This is the 138th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Variation of Nurikabe. Shade some of the numbered cells so that the grid is divided into white regions, with each cell in such a region containing a number identical to the area of the region. Two white regions may only touch diagonally. All shaded cells must be connected with each other, but no 2×2 group of cells can be entirely shaded black.

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments (the unnumbered, connected “ocean”) from left to right for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry from the next with a comma.

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

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. More Nurikabe puzzles can be in The Art of Puzzles collection.

We’re back with new puzzles after taking some time to expand our online e-book store which now has three full books and five puzzle packets. We’ll be adding two more titles in the next month.

The next week is made up of “WPC practice” problems Prasanna prepared prior to last month’s championship.

Monday: Nurikabe (Full)
Tuesday: Battleships (Myopia)
Wednesday: Kropki Loop
Thursday: Pentomino (2 in 1)
Friday: Skyscrapers (2 in 1)
Saturday: Fillomino (Kropki)

Our supporters will also be receiving a bonus Bosnian Snake (Full) by Prasanna Seshadri, access to puzzle solutions, and a video walkthrough of the Saturday puzzle. If you’d like to receive some of these special rewards, please click here for more info.