Cross the Streams (LITS) by Thomas Snyder
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between a shading mode and a composite mode where left click inside cell shades square, left click + drag draws line segment, right click inside cell adds dot, and right click on cell edge adds an x.)
Theme: Foursomes
Author/Opus: This is the 363rd puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.
Rules: Standard Cross the Streams rules. Also, the shaded region must be able to be split into tetrominoes to form a valid LITS solution (meaning all tetrominoes are connected but no two tetrominoes sharing an edge are the same shape, including rotations and reflections).
Difficulty: 4 stars
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 5:45, Master = 11:00, Expert = 22:00
Solution: PDF; a solution video is also available here.
Note: Follow this link for other Cross the Streams. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Cross the Streams to get started on.
*solves for a while*
Why does Thomas think this puzzle is so hard?
*solves some more*
Oh. THAT’S why. 🙂
Penpa link: [EDIT: Removed as we added our own official link to post]