How To Create A Sudoku Masterpiece: Knickolas

*** Bonus Video ***
A couple of weeks ago, Simon solved one of the best sudokus we've ever seen: Chaotic Equality by Knickolas. We're delighted to tell you that Knickolas has made a special video explaining how he created this incredible puzzle.

Do remember to try the puzzle before you watch the video - it contains SPOILERS!!

Play the puzzle at the link below:

Rules:
Divide the grid into nine regions, each consisting of nine orthogonally-connected cells. Each row, column and region must contain the digits 1 to 9 once each. Each line must pass through at least two regions. A “line segment” consists of the digits along the line within a region from the point that line starts in that region to when it next leaves it (or ends). The sum of digits along each line segment along a line must be the same. Different lines can have different line segment totals. Digits in a circle indicate the number of cells that are part of a line in that cell's region.

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As well as the Phistomefel and Jay Dyer extravaganzas, Simon's solve of Magnus Josefsson's puzzle Castle Wall Yin Yang #1 is now available as a bonus video. You can play the puzzle at the link below (and the logic-masters link contains an example):

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It's already out on Android and App Store. 60 original puzzles by Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Clover and Philip Newman!! Earn party hats and dinosaurs with these brand new puzzles!

We've also released a FREE app full of handmade puzzles to celebrate reaching 500k subscribers - simply download the Cracking The Cryptic app on Android, Steam or App Store and then select the 500k pack. We're streaming a playthrough of this app and you can watch all seven episodes

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[Knickolas]

Hi everyone! Thank you for all the kind words! I’ve never made a video like this before so I really appreciate all the positive feedback. And thanks again to Mark and Simon for showcasing the video! I hope you were able to find the video helpful in one way or another

-Knickolas :)

[wossaaaat]

I don't think I'll ever be a setter, but this was still a really interesting and very well put together video. Thanks a lot for doing it Knickolas.

[GuillaumeHuetGH]

Simon usually calls a long sudoku solving video a "movie", the joke is supposed to be relating the length of the video but the more I think about it the more similarities they actually have. When watching a CTC sudoku solving video there is usually suspense on where the next progression step will be. There's also some kind of police investigation when the clues are used together in the right order. Sometime the investigator would explain its findings for a revelation moment, sometime you would find the answers right before the investigator and feel engaged the more he goes in the right direction. There's also sometimes comedy, unintentional when the solver is right at the edge of a breakthrough and goes in an entirely new direction for 45 minutes, sometimes from the sudoku itself when a very complicated set of clues gives a really basic answer.

And after watching this video I understand even more why, because you're not just focusing on the mathematical part of why you chose this or that clue in order to get to a solvable state but you're thinking about "pace", "setup and payoff" etc which are scenario writing related terms.

It just occurred to me that sudoku solving videos feels like movie not because they are long but because their scenario, the underlying sudoku, is written like a scenario with a focus on the viewer/solver emotions more than on the mathematics of the clues.

Thanks very much for both this excellent sudoku and this very instructive video!

[notthatkindofdoctor]

As a non-setter, this video was very informative and easy to follow. The logic around the 3 in row three was nice, even though it's a bit harsh to expect Simon to do sudoku on a sudoku channel;)

[MrMWnd]

I love the way the tutorial example uses the same region colors simon had used

[clausewitzianwar]

I was literally watching this solve yesterday and was hoping there would be a construction video. Impeccable timing.

[niverio]

Fascinating video! As a fellow puzzle setter / solver, this is one of the setter videos I can resonate the most with. Thank you so much for this explanation, Knickolas!

[th.nd.r]

This was incredible! A great setter and a great teacher. Well done Knickolas!

[timmilatte]

Yay I love learning the thought processes behind building puzzles. Thanks for sharing the secrets behind the magic!!

[AllenBaranov]

Wow. Very professional and clear video. I enjoyed going through your setting prices but also appreciated the more general points you make. Thank you.

[Hybridrofl]

Fantastic video. Very clear and full of insights into setting a rewarding Sudoku. I liked the honesty in how long it took to make it. Thanks Knickolas!

[cathybryant]

Very interesting. I have often wondered how one even starts to think about setting a Sudoku puzzle, so I found this fascinating. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and thank you Mark and Simon for putting it on the channel.

[trainsinpoland]

Hello Knickolas, thank you so much for making this video and sharing your sudoku brilliance with us mortals. Hopefully we will enjoy many more of your puzzles on CTC over the coming months and years.

[Sinebeast]

Your puzzle was way out of my league but Simon's solve was a masterpiece and quite a joy to watch because it flowed so well. In fact I was so in that video it put me late for work 😅
Keep up the amazing work Knickolas.

[kennynolan]

This video was well made and very interesting, thank you Knickolas!

[richnewt]

“Because of this oversight he started working on some harder logic…”
*sigh* yes welcome to Cracking the Cryptic you get used to it 😅

[Jablicek]

Cheers, Knickolas, setters' videos are always an interest insight!

[davidrattner]

Exceptional content this provided from you!! Fascinating to see how this came together. Thank you so much for all the quality tips you included.

[trisha]

Thank you for producing and publishing this video.I learnt so much from it, including that I don't think I will ever have the patience to produce a good puzzle.

[MarushiaDark]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who finds the hardest part about setting to be ensuring that it solves uniquely as a sudoku.