TomTom by Thomas Snyder
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Tetrominoes (prepared for the 2017 Puzzle Grand Prix)
Author/Opus: This is the 277th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.
Rules: Standard TomTom rules, using the integers 1-8.
Answer String: Enter the 3rd row from left to right followed by the 6th row from left to right. Separate the entries with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 8:00, Master = 16:00, Expert = 32:00 (*Estimates from competition scoring, not our usual process)
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. More TomTom puzzles can be found in The Art of Puzzles.
If the expert time is as high as 32 mins in a 60 min contest, what good is it being an ” expert ” ? 🙂
It’s good for about 129 points in the competition (around 125th in the world which is a good result for an expert). In my level definitions, I said Expert was a good puzzler, Master would be ~10th in the USPC (which could translate to ~50th in the world). Grandmaster is in the top few in the world.
Tough, but great fun. First time I’d tried a puzzle of this type so it took a few hours and a couple of failed attempts, but highly satisfying to have got there in the end.