30 September 2015

Apple Martini

Title: Apple Martini
Rating: 4/5 

I'm all for this mix of vodka, apple schnapps, and Cointreau garnished with a cherry in spirit.  Just not so much in practice.

The official rules:

  • The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
  • Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum (denoted by +) or multiply to the indicated product (denoted by *).   
  • Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum/product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
  • Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that repetition doesn't violate the first rule.

23 September 2015

Turn of the Screw

Title: Turn of the Screw
Rating: 2/5


The title of this product puzzle is belies its difficulty.  Instead it hints at the more challenging nature of some puzzles in the weeks ahead.

The official rules:

  • The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
  • Digits in each shaded region must multiply to the indicated product.   
  • Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
  • Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that doesn't violate the first rule. 

16 September 2015

Toral Rorschach

Title: Toral Rorschach
Rating: 3/5


Another sum puzzle, and another toral puzzle (the fourth, after Prorus, Circuitry, and Fundamentals).  The properties of a toral board are in the last rule below.

The official rules:

  • The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
  • Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum.   
  • Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum for adjacent regions of each of those colors.
  • Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that doesn't violate the first rule. 
  • The board is a “toral board,” that is, cells at the end of one row are considered adjacent to those at the beginning of the same row; cells at the end of one column are considered adjacent to those at the beginning of the same column, and all corner cells are considered adjacent.

09 September 2015

Tilting


Title: Tilting
Rating: 2/5



Here is the third of four pentomino puzzles, after Five By and AmendsThe title comes from the fact that while the design is rotationally symmetric, the given clues don't quite satisfy that maxim.

The official rules:
  • The digits 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 appear in the above puzzle.
  • Each shaded region contains exactly one of each of the digits 1 through 5.
  • No row or column can contain more than two appearances of any of the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in both of the associated adjacent regions.

02 September 2015

Hangman's Blood

Title: Hangman's Blood
Rating: 3/5 


A mix of rum, gin, brandy, and porter, this drink is rumored to exacerbate rather than alleviate thirst.  In that way, it's much like these puzzles--I don't like to do just one.

The official rules:

  • The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
  • Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum (denoted by +) or multiply to the indicated product (denoted by *).   
  • Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum/product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
  • Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that repetition doesn't violate the first rule.