Author: Eliza

This puzzle style was created by Robert Vollmert (Geradeweg roughly means “Straight Path” in English). More Geradeweg will be in our upcoming Loop Variety Collection 2.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in default linex mode where left-click+drag draws line and right click marks X’s)

Theme: Knight Matrix

Author/Opus: This is the 248th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Prasanna Seshadri.

Rules: Draw a single, non-intersecting loop that passes through all cells with circles; the loop may either go straight through or turn at each circle. If the loop goes straight through a circle, the number on that circle indicates the length of the straight segment. If the loop turns at a circle, the number on that circle indicates the length of both

This puzzle style was created by Martin Ender (first example here), and was one of the “new generation” of puzzles at the 2022 World Puzzle Championship. While it won’t be in our upcoming Loop Variety Collection 2, we are planning to have some more Rail Pool in GMPuzzles projects in the future.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in default linex mode where left-click+drag draws line and right click marks X’s)

Theme: Tetris

Author/Opus: This is the 1st puzzle from guest contributor Martin Ender.

Rules: Draw a single, non-intersecting loop that passes through the centers of all cells, including clue cells. Clues represent all of the different lengths of the straight line segments that pass through all cells within the region,

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Downward Spiral

Author/Opus: This is the 429th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region.

Difficulty: 3 stars

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 4:15, Master = 5:45, Expert = 11:30

Solution: To be posted on our next puzzle post once live.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More classic Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku, The Art of Sudoku 2 and in our beginner-friendly

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; in composite Star Battle mode a left click places a star, right click in a cell marks off the cell, and a right click on an edge or corner marks in a dot as a placement note.)

Theme: Diagonal Borders

Author/Opus: This is the 65th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster JinHoo Ahn.

Rules: Standard Star Battle rules. Two stars per row, column, and region.

Difficulty: 2.5 stars

Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:40, Master = 3:30, Expert = 7:00

Solution: To be posted on our next puzzle post once live.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Star Battles and this link for Star Battle variations. If you are new to this puzzle type,