Search This Blog

Solving Kakuro: (Overlapping Cells)

This technique can be used effectively once you learn how to use it correctly.

Take a look at Puzzle No.9


Using this technique, you can directly find out the number in the marked cell.


The sum of the five marked cells is 12 + 21 = 33 (Using the column sums).


But, the sum of the four marked cells is 11 + 16 = 27 (Using the row sums).


Simple subtraction, and you get 33 - 27 = 6 in the marked cell.

Use this technique and you are bound to improve your solving time!

Other Solving Techniques

14 comments:

Tejal Phatak said...

I never used this till today!

Rohan Rao said...

Now try using it. Master it soon, IPC rounds are starting this week!

Prasanna Seshadri said...

I haven't used either :O top post Ro.

Rohan Rao said...

Thanks Pras. Try it out, you'll definitely love it, especially with IPC round the corner.

Deb said...

It can be extended to multiple cells too. You should post one example.

Good posts Rohan, on these simple, but effective techniques.

I'm still surprised that Tejal didn't use it yet.

Unknown said...

cool technique....ur methods proving to be quite useful for me...1 query...on 7th jan , in the elimination rounds, can 1 person participate in both ISC and IPC round 1

Unknown said...

do u know what kind of puzzles will be there in round 1 of IPC??

Rohan Rao said...

@Deb
Yes, I'll post about multiple cells too.

@Natraj
You will find complete information about IPC on http://www.logicmastersindia.com/IPC2011/home.asp
You can post your queries on the forum.

Anonymous said...

I too only realised you could do this with kakuro recently. Most kakuro I see never seem to need it. Indeed, when I design kakuro of my own I specifically design the grid so that you cannot use this technique (and indeed analogously for killer sudoku, where I think too much cage addition is a completely lazy and lame way of making a puzzle "hard"...)

Tom.C

Rohan Rao said...

This technique is rarely seen in really hard Kakuros, that I agree with you. For medium ones, it could be a great starting point for beginners (I was one few months back! :-) )

Though I must admit that I have used this technique a couple of times in tough Kakuros, but generally with two (or more) protruding cells, like a difference of 4 which gives you a 1-3 combination.

Rajesh Kumar said...

Nice Technique. This technique is very helpful while solving tough Kakuro puzzle.

OHOAW said...

wow, this is a good technique.. Never thought of ths till now!!

Unknown said...

This is Top Class, Rohan! Never used it till date. Thanks for the share :)

OHOAW said...

Really cool technique!