How To Become A Puzzle Grandmaster
779*** TODAY'S PUZZLE ***
A logic puzzle today from the brilliant Turkish constructor Serkan Yürekli. Serkan, along with Thomas Snyder (3x World Sudoku Champion) is one of the brains behind gmpuzzles.com - a great place to find handcrafted puzzles: https://www.gmpuzzles.com/blog/
Serkan has made this cool Fillomino variant especially for us on Valentine's Day!
Have a go at the puzzle here:
https://sudokupad.app/JtPQ3d3R4D
Rules:
Divide the grid along the grid lines into regions called polyominoes. Place a number inside each cell equal to the total area (in number of cells) of the polyomino it belongs to. No two polyominoes with the same area, or with areas that differ by one, can share an edge. The number at the top left of each cage gives the sum of all numbers that appear inside of it. Numbers may be repeated in cages. [Answer check will work if cells are filled with just the units digit of their numbers.]
*** CIRCLE SUMS by JESPER ***
Simon's solve of this unbelievably good (and very challenging) sudoku is now available to watch on Patreon. It is over 2 hours long and is suitable only for those who enjoy movies...
https://www.patreon.com/crackingthecryptic
There's also a new sudoku hunt from Riffclown for our February competition! Get it here for just $2:
Other bonuses on Patreon currently include:
Simon's 2.5 hour solve of Roller Coaster Nurikabe
Mark's latest solve of The Times Club Monthly Special Crossword
*** HEXCELLS STREAM ***
Our latest Hexcells stream happened last night and you can watch it at the following link:
https://youtube.com/live/7fsRf0Q28s8
*** KICKSTARTER - DELIVERED 24 December 2023 ***
Our Kickstarter has finished and we've created the finished novella/puzzle collection for you. It was delivered on Christmas Eve so check your inboxes!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peterchayward/cracking-the-cryptic-presents-fog-of-war
*** ORDER OUR NEW BOOK AT THIS LINK ***
If you would like to get hold of a physical copy of our new book, Cracking The Cryptic's Greatest Hits - Volume 2, there is still a chance. Visit the link below:
https://bean-games.pledgemanager.com/projects/cracking-the-cryptics-greatest-hits-v2/participate/
▶ SUDOKU PAD - Use Our Software For Your Puzzles ◀
You can input classic sudoku puzzles into our software and help support Sven, the programmer responsible for the wonderful user interface we all use to play these puzzles everyday. The app also comes with 12 handmade puzzles from us:
iOS:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/svens-sudokupad/id1570622073
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1706870/Svens_SudokuPad/
Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.svencodes.sudokupad
ALSO on Amazon: Search for “SudokuPad”
▶ Contents Of This Video ◀
0:00 Theme music & puzzle introduction
2:37 Bonus Valentine's Day puzzles in our apps
3:36 The 14 Given Digit Sudoku
4:33 Simon solves Jesper's Circle Sums
5:07 Hexcells stream Thank you!
5:23 Happy Birthdays
6:35 Rules
10:38 Start of Solve: Let's Get Cracking
▶ Contact Us ◀
Twitter: @Cracking The Cryptic
email: crackingthecryptic@gmail.com
Our PO Box address:
Simon Anthony & Mark Goodliffe
Box 102
56 Gloucester Road
London
SW7 4UB
(Please note to use our real names rather than 'Cracking The Cryptic'.)
**************************************************************
▶ CTC FAN DISCORD SERVER◀
https://discord.gg/BbN89j5
▶ OUR BACK CATALOGUE – ALL CATEGORISED WITH LINKS!◀
https://tinyurl.com/CTCCatalogue
▶ *NEW* CRACKING THE CRYPTIC MERCHANDISE◀
https://teespring.com/en-GB/stores/cracking-the-cryptic
▶SEND US PUZZLES TO SOLVE/CONTACT US◀
crackingthecryptic@gmail.com
▶FOLLOW US◀
Twitter: @crypticcracking
Instagram (for how to solve daily clues from The Times): https://www.instagram.com/crackingthecryptic/?hl=en
We also post the Wordle In A Minute videos on TikTok.