Game guide · CTCPX
Your guide to Kakurasu
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. 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.
Give this approach a try
Check the rule below as you play. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The objective of a round
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue.
How a round unfolds
- 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
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
A closer look at one example
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
One detail worth checking
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
More answers before you play
During a round, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. A new round resets the current game.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, 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. A new round resets the current game.
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. No download or player account is required.
During a round, 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.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
What does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. A new round resets the current game.