Game guide · 10000ZW
A practical guide to Kakurasu
Read the position before choosing your next 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.
Take a closer look while playing
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
The purpose of your moves
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Follow these playing steps
- 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
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Work through an example
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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 goal in mind before your next move.
A mistake to avoid
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares.
Further help with the game
When I start, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. No download or player account is required.
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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. No download or player account is required.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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.
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. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. You can start a new round from the game controls.
