Game guide · ZZQHMY
Read before your next round of Kakurasu
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. 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.
Practice with a purpose
Read the position before choosing your next action. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Understand the aim
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Work through the instructions
- 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.
Choosing and moving on screen
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Learn from a sample situation
The board gives you the information needed for the 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Pay attention to this rule
Read the position before choosing your next action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Further help with the 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.
During a round, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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.
On this page, 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. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.