Game guide · SXSS56
Kakurasu: instructions and practice
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Try a more deliberate round
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
Your goal
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue.
The order of play
- A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
- A marked cell contributes its column number to its row sum, and its row number to its column sum.
- Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
- Match all rows and columns to complete the puzzle. Each generated puzzle is checked to have one solution.
Keyboard and screen controls
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board.
A useful example
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Check this before moving on
Take a moment to check the current turn. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares.
Questions that come up during play
On this page, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, can you show an example?
Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, what rules and limits are used here?
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels. No download or player account is required.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
Why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. You can start a new round from the game controls.