Rules: Shade some cells in the grid to form blocks of any shape.
1. Each block must contain exactly one number or a question mark.
2. A number indicates the size of the block that contains it.
3. Diagonally adjacent blocks form a chain. A chain cannot contain two identically shaped blocks, counting rotations and reflections as the same.
4. All blocks must be diagonally adjacent to at least one other block.
Rules: Shade some cells on the board such that each region includes exactly two shaded blocks and they have the same shape, counting rotations and reflections as the same. Numbers cannot be shaded. A number indicates the size of the block that occupies the adjacent cell in the indicated direction. Shaded cells must not be adjacent across borders.
Rules: Divide the grid along the gridlines into some regions, and fill each of the empty cells with a number. When two cells containing the same number touch along an edge, they must belong to the same region. Given numbers represent the area of the region they belong to. A region may contain none, or one or more of the givens.
Rules: Divide the grid into pentominoes (Regions of five cells ) such that every cell in the grid is a part of exactly one pentomino. Pentominoes of the same shape (rotations and reflections of a pentomino count as the same shape) cannot touch each other along an edge, but they may touch diagonally. Given letters, if any, must be part of a pentomino with that letter’s shape. It is permissible for a pentomino to contain more than one given letter.
Rules: Shade some cells on the board such that each region includes exactly two shaded blocks and they have the same shape, counting rotations and reflections as the same. Numbers cannot be shaded. A number indicates the size of the block that occupies the adjacent cell in the indicated direction. Shaded cells must not be adjacent across borders.
Rules: Shade some cells on the board such that each region includes exactly two shaded blocks and they have the same shape, counting rotations and reflections as the same. Numbers cannot be shaded. A number indicates the size of the block that occupies the adjacent cell in the indicated direction. Shaded cells must not be adjacent across borders.
Rules: Shade some cells in the grid such that each block of shaded cells is cut exactly once by a single straight segment of region borders, across which it must have reflectional symmetry. Numbered regions must contain the indicated amount of shaded cells.
Rules: Draw single path through all the cells. The path may not branch or self-intersect or cross given bold edges. The path must enter and exit the grid exactly once.
Rules: Shade in some cells such that each outlined area contains four shaded cells that form a Tetromino. No 2×2 square can be shaded completely. All shapes must be connected to form a single contiguous group of shaded cells. Identical figures, regardless of rotation or reflection, cannot share an edge.
Rules: Divide the grid into pentominoes such that every cell in the grid is a part of exactly one pentomino. Pentominoes of the same shape (rotations and reflections of a pentomino count as the same shape) cannot touch each other along an edge, but they may touch diagonally. Given letters, if any, must be part of a pentomino with that letter’s shape. It is permissible for a pentomino to contain more than one given letter.
Rules: Divide the grid into pentominoes such that every cell in the grid is a part of exactly one pentomino. Pentominoes of the same shape (rotations and reflections of a pentomino count as the same shape) cannot touch each other along an edge, but they may touch diagonally. Given letters, if any, must be part of a pentomino with that letter’s shape. It is permissible for a pentomino to contain more than one given letter.
Rules: Shade some cells in the grid to form blocks of any shape.
1. Each block must contain exactly one number or a question mark.
2. A number indicates the size of the block that contains it.
3. Diagonally adjacent blocks form a chain. A chain cannot contain two identically shaped blocks, counting rotations and reflections as the same.
4. All blocks must be diagonally adjacent to at least one other block.
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Rules: Draw a single, non-intersecting loop, that has vertical and horizontal paths, and visits all of the given circles. If a cell orthogonally adjoining with a circle is visited, the loop must turn/go straight in that cell too (if it turns/ goes straight in the circle).
About: This puzzle type was invented by Anurag Sahay.
Rules: Draw a single, non-intersecting loop, that visits each of the outlined regions at least once. Each region is a galaxy where cells with no adjacent region borders or grid borders represent dense regions. The path of the loop can either make a 90-degree turn or go straight through the dense regions, while it must pass straight through the other cells.
Rules: Shade some cells on the board such that each region includes exactly two shaded blocks and they have the same shape, counting rotations and reflections as the same. Numbers cannot be shaded. A number indicates the size of the block that occupies the adjacent cell in the indicated direction. Shaded cells must not be adjacent across borders.
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Rules: Shade two circles in each bold outlined region, such that no two shaded cells share borders and all the unshaded cells form one orthogonally connected area. Then, draw a straight line path of shortest possible length starting in one shaded circle and ending in the other shaded circle in the same region. The paths cannot cross other circles or intersect other paths, but can pass through regions they didn't originate in. Cells from two different paths cannot be orthogonally adjacent..
Rules: Shade some cells on the board such that each region includes exactly two shaded blocks and they have the same shape, counting rotations and reflections as the same. Numbers cannot be shaded. A number indicates the size of the block that occupies the adjacent cell in the indicated direction. Shaded cells must not be adjacent across borders.
Theme: Pairs
Rules: Shade some cells so that all shaded cells are connected and no 2×2 square is completely shaded. Cells with numbers cannot be shaded. Each group of connected unshaded cells forms an island; islands can touch each other diagonally. Each island must contain exactly one given number that indicates the number of cells inside the containing island.
Theme: Odd vs Even
Rules: Shade some cells so that all shaded cells are connected and no 2×2 square is completely shaded. Cells with numbers cannot be shaded. Each group of connected unshaded cells forms an island; islands can touch each other diagonally. Each island must contain exactly one given number that indicates the number of cells inside the containing island.
Rules: Divide the grid along the gridlines into some regions, and fill each of the empty cells with a number. When two cells containing the same number touch along an edge, they must belong to the same region. Given numbers represent the area of the region they belong to. A region may contain none, or one or more of the givens. Also, every region must be adjacent to a region of consecutive size.
Rules: Shade some cells such that each given tells how many cells sharing a border with it are shaded. No two shaded cells can share borders. Then draw a single, non-intersecting loop, vertically or horizontally, through the centers of all of the empty cells. Given clue cells cannot be shaded.
Rules: Shade some cells such that each outlined region contains two or more groups of orthogonally connected shaded cells of the same size but different shapes. There cannot be any other shaded cells. Shaded cell groups across regions can only touch diagonally, while they must all be connected to each other diagonally within a region. Given numbers indicate shaded cells part of a group of that size. Each group contains one or no given number.
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Rules: Shade in some cells such that each outlined area contains eight shaded cells that form two tetrominoes. No 2×2 square can be shaded completely. Tetrominoes within a region cannot touch through the edges. All shapes must be connected to form a single contiguous group of shaded cells. Identical figures, regardless of rotation or reflection, cannot share an edge.
Rules: Shade in some cells so that all shaded cells are orthogonally connected through the clue cells in a single group, or the Island. Numbers in clue cells indicate the number of shaded cells that can be reached from the clue cell without crossing other clue cells or white cells.
Theme: Galactic
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Rules: Draw lines through unshaded cells and place circles in some of the unshaded cells. Every line goes through exactly three circles: One on each endpoint, and another somewhere in the middle. Lines cannot cross or branch off or form loops. Two circles cannot be orthogonally adjacent. Circles belonging to the same line cannot share a row or column. Given numbers indicate the number of circles in the 4 orthogonally adjacent cells.
Theme: Five free clues
Rules: Shade some cells such that each given tells how many cells sharing a border with it are shaded. No two shaded cells can share borders. Then draw a single, non-intersecting loop, vertically or horizontally, through the centers of all of the empty cells. Given clue cells cannot be shaded.
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Theme: I am Tapa
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Last November marked unprecedented buzz in the tech world very few are probably still unaware of. A couple months later, I took to social media (saying I have a meager presence is an understatement) to express my views on the second coming of deep learning models and their likely impact in the years to come. And that hasn't changed.
I am both a proponent and an opponent. My tone in the rest of the post should tell you where I am leaning. Biological Evolution is a profound phenomenon, made elusive by disputable and often laughable theories, many of which even flout and mock the very idea. If evidence is anything to go by, our experiences—from the food we eat to the work we do and don't—all of those constantly shape and reprogram the DNA over years. Evolution is indeed a thing of reality.
Every sensory experience is registered. Alterations in the genes are passed down through generations without our noticing. Tech, in particular, comes with instant results and gratification. The advent of AI models has been overwhelming, and without question, they are profoundly gene-altering stuff—so was the mobile phone, even if to a smaller extent.
I had pressed on the need for introducing regulations—and there aren't any yet—on these products, and I maintain that half a year later. We are devolving all the time, thanks to the phone and the AI that has proven itself increasingly indispensable. Our brains will shrink, and they are shrinking faster than we know; reduced activity and stimulation are to blame. There is also this unlikely, yet much-debated possibility of AI backfiring and overpowering/eliminating humans. As biological descent looms, the question is really what lawmakers can do to get the good out of AI and nip the bad in the bud. With all the good these models can do to improve daily lives and raise productivity by leaps, they undeniably bring enough peril to be wary of.
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Theme: No Business with Symmetry
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Tapa became a mainstay soon after it was introduced. Puzzle enthusiasts have since tapped into the goodness of the puzzle with all their skill and passion. Soon, I will be running a tapa tournament at Puzzle Duel. If you are a tapa enthusiast, you don't want to miss. I hope the contest fulfils the puzzle instincts of those participating.
In the build-up to the tournament, and as more details emerge on the site in mid-July, I am posting a tapa puzzle every Sunday hoping to help get the readers into the groove.
Theme: At the core of the offering
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Rules: Draw lines of two types through the centres of all empty cells, one that are straight, and the other that are rectangular. Lines do not overlap other lines. Given numbers indicate how many lines of type one are located in the direction of the arrow.
Rules:
Rules: Draw a non-intersecting loop through the centers of some cells that passes through every circle. Each circle marks the center of the straight line segment it lies on.
Rules: Divide the grid along the gridlines into some regions, and fill each of the empty cells with a number. When two cells containing the same number touch along an edge, they must belong to the same region. Given numbers represent the area of the region they belong to. A region may contain none, or one or more of the givens.
Rules: Shade in some cells so that all of the unshaded cells are connected orthogonally in a single group. Shaded cells may only be diagonally adjacent to each other. Unshaded cells are not allowed to span more than two regions in any straight line. Given numbers tell how many cells in their containing region are shaded.
Rules: Paint some squares to create a continuous wall of connected cells. Number(s) in a cell indicate how many painted cells are contained in a continuous black cell block in its surrounding cells. If there is more than one number in the cell, there has to be at least one white cell separating the black cell blocks. Painted cells cannot form a 2x2 cell. Clue Cells cannot be painted.
Rules: Shade some cells so that all shaded cells are connected and no 2×2 square is completely shaded. Cells with numbers cannot be shaded. Each group of connected unshaded cells forms an island; islands can touch each other diagonally. Each island must contain exactly one given number, and that number indicates the area of the island in number of cells. Also, all islands of the same size must be distinct from one another.
Theme: Tilted Square
Rules: Divide the grid along the gridlines into some regions, and fill each of the empty cells with a number. When two cells containing the same number touch along an edge, they must belong to the same region. Given numbers represent the area of the region they belong to. A region may contain none, or one or more of the givens.
Rules: Shade in some cells such that shaded cells in each outlined area form a polymino. No 2×2 square can be shaded completely. All shapes must be connected to form a single contiguous group of shaded cells. Identical figures, regardless of rotation or reflection, cannot share an edge. Each shape must be adjacent with one or more shapes of the same size as it is.
About: Anymino was invented by Anurag Sahay
Rules: Divide the grid into pentominoes such that every cell in the grid is a part of exactly one pentomino. Pentominoes of the same shape (rotations and reflections of a pentomino count as the same shape) cannot touch each other along an edge, but they may touch diagonally. Given letters, if any, must be part of a pentomino with that letter’s shape. It is permissible for a pentomino to contain more than one given letter.
Rules: Place some pentomino shapes, no more than once each, rotations and reflections allowed (rotations and reflections of the same shape are considered identical). Shapes are not allowed to touch, not even diagonally. Blackened cells (if given) cannot be used. A given number indicates how many cells in that region, including the one it is contained in, are occupied by the corresponding shape. No two given numbers correspond to the same shape. Not all occupied cells within a region need be connected orthogonally. Each placed shape must include one given number.
Rules: Divide the grid into pentominoes such that every cell in the grid is a part of a pentomino. Pentominoes of the same shape (rotations and reflections of a pentomino count as the same shape) cannot touch each other along an edge, but they may touch diagonally. The cells separated by any given circle belong to different pentomino shapes. Furthermore, If each cell is numbered based on the number of adjacent cells belonging to the same shape that it belongs to, a given white circle separates two equal numbers and a given black circle separates two unequal numbers.
About: Expansibility was invented by Anurag Sahay
Rules: Shade in two or more cells in each outlined area such that all of the shaded cells in each outlined area are edge-connected. All shapes must be connected diagonally. Shaded cell groups of the same size cannot touch across regions in any way, not even diagonally. Shaded cell groups of different sizes may only touch each other diagonally.
About: This puzzle type was invented by Anurag Sahay.
Rules: Divide the grid along the gridlines into some regions, and fill each of the empty cells with a number. When two cells containing the same number touch along an edge, they must belong to the same region. Given numbers represent the area of the region they belong to. A region may contain none, or one or more of the givens. Also, every region must be adjacent to a region of consecutive size.
Rules: Shade in some cells such that each outlined area contains four shaded cells that form a Tetromino. No 2×2 square can be shaded completely. All shapes must be connected to form a single contiguous group of shaded cells. Identical figures, regardless of rotation or reflection, cannot share an edge.
Rules: Place the complete set of seven tetrominoes (reflections included), such that they do not touch each other, not even diagonally. Given numbers at grid vertices indicate how many of the adjoining cells are occupied by tetrominoes. You can rotate the tetrominoes, but not mirror them.
About: This puzzle type was invented by Serkan Yurekli
Rules: Shade some cells such that each outlined region contains two or more groups of orthogonally connected shaded cells of the same size but different shapes. There cannot be any other shaded cells. Shaded cell groups across regions can only touch diagonally, while they must all be connected to each other diagonally within a region. Given numbers indicate shaded cells part of a group of that size. Each group contains one or no given number.