PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use the tab key to alternate between shading and number entry modes)

Theme: Fives (originally on the US round for the 2016 WPF Puzzle Grand Prix)

Author/Opus: This is the 240th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Variation of Nanro.

Label some cells with numbers to form a single connected group of labeled cells. No 2×2 group of cells may be fully labeled. Each number must be equal to the total count of labeled cells in that bold region, and all bold regions contain at least one labeled cell. The given numbers indicate how many cells are labeled in that region (but not necessarily which cells are labeled). When two numbers are orthogonally adjacent across a region boundary, the numbers must be different.

Also see this example:

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the segments labeled with numbers 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 = 4:00, Master = 6:00, Expert = 12:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Nanro variations and this link for classic Nanro. If you are new to this puzzle type, please first try out our easiest Nanro to get started.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use the tab key to alternate between shading and number entry modes)

Theme: Clue Symmetry and Logic (originally on the US round for the 2016 WPF Puzzle Grand Prix)

Author/Opus: This is the 239th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Variation of Nanro.

Label some cells with numbers to form a single connected group of labeled cells. No 2×2 group of cells may be fully labeled. Each number must be equal to the total count of labeled cells in that bold region, and all bold regions contain at least one labeled cell. The given numbers indicate how many cells are labeled in that region (but not necessarily which cells are labeled). When two numbers are orthogonally adjacent across a region boundary, the numbers must be different.

Also see this example:

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the segments labeled with numbers 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 = 3:30, Master = 5:00, Expert = 10:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Nanro variations and this link for classic Nanro. If you are new to this puzzle type, please first try out our easiest Nanro to get started.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use the tab key to alternate between shading and number entry modes)

Theme: Pentominoes (originally on the US round for the 2016 WPF Puzzle Grand Prix)

Author/Opus: This is the 238th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Variation of Nanro.

Label some cells with numbers to form a single connected group of labeled cells. No 2×2 group of cells may be fully labeled. Each number must be equal to the total count of labeled cells in that bold region, and all bold regions contain at least one labeled cell. The given numbers indicate how many cells are labeled in that region (but not necessarily which cells are labeled). When two numbers are orthogonally adjacent across a region boundary, the numbers must be different.

Also see this example:

Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the segments labeled with numbers 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 = 1:00, Master = 1:30, Expert = 3:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other Nanro variations and this link for classic Nanro. If you are new to this puzzle type, please first try out our easiest Nanro to get started.

For the next two weeks we’ll be posting some of our favorite puzzles from the Competitive Section (PDF) of the US Puzzle Grand Prix. If you missed it, we also highly recommend the Casual section (PDF) with a special “Escape the Grand Prix” theme. We’ll be back with original puzzles on June 6.

This week we’ll present two variation sections: Pentominous (Borders) from Grant Fikes (Mon-Wed) and Nanro (Signpost) by Thomas Snyder (Thu-Sat).

This weekend is the US round for the WPF Puzzle Grand Prix. It features a lot of puzzles from me and other GMPuzzles contributors including a special “Escape the Grand Prix” casual section. Please check it out.

The last week of puzzles from Grant Fikes can be found in this PDF.

This week, Prasanna Seshadri brings us some clever “transparent” puzzle variations from the 2016 Polish Puzzle Championship. Will you be able to see through the clues and get to the solutions?

Monday: Battleships (Minesweeper)
Tuesday: Pentopia
Wednesday: Easy as ABC
Thursday: Linesweeper
Friday: Yajilin
Saturday: Tapa

Our supporters will also be receiving a bonus “Slot Machine” Sudoku from Prasanna, access to puzzle solutions, and a video walkthrough of the Friday puzzle. If you’d like to receive some of these special rewards, please click here for more info.

PS: Next weekend is the US round for the WPF Puzzle Grand Prix. It features a lot of puzzles from me and other GMPuzzles contributors. Please check it out. (Note: we will not have an official week of puzzles next week, but will post some highlights from the GP competition.)

Grant Fikes is back with a full week of puzzles (classics and variants) that we think you will enjoy. Specifically:

Monday: Yajilin
Tuesday: Fillomino
Wednesday: Sashikabe
Thursday: Cross the Streams (Windows)
Friday: Masyu
Saturday: Pentominous

Our supporters will also be receiving a bonus Cross the Streams from Grant, access to puzzle solutions, and a video walkthrough of the Thursday puzzle. If you’d like to receive some of these special rewards, please click here for more info.

PS: Due to work finishing the US round for the WPF Puzzle Grand Prix, the next week of new puzzles will start on 5/9.

Last week’s set of Range puzzles from Serkan Yürekli can be found in this PDF.

There will be no new puzzles posted this week.

Last week’s “Patron’s Week” of puzzles can be found in this PDF.

This week comes from Serkan Yürekli with a collection of Range puzzles.

Our supporters will also be receiving a bonus Nanro from Murat Can Tonta, 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.

PDF

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

Theme: Phleb (for patron Paul Hlebowitsh)

Author/Opus: This is the 237th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Star Battle rules. Two stars per row, column, and region.

Answer String: For each row from top to bottom, enter the number of the first column from the left where a star appears. Enter these numbers as a single string with no separators. Enter both digits of any two-digit column number.

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 2:45, Master = 4:45, Expert = 9:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for other classic Star Battles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Star Battles to get started on.