Game guide · YCBY120
Understand the basics of Kakurasu
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Take a closer look while playing
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Understand the aim
Take a moment to check the current turn. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
How to use the controls
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
An example before you play
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
A useful caution
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Questions about this game
On this page, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. A new round resets the current game.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, 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. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The instructions above use these same rules.
