Game guide · TYMJWATER
Your guide to Kakurasu
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The purpose of your moves
Read the position before choosing your next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The playing sequence
- 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.
Using the playing area
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
An example before you play
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
One detail worth checking
Check the rule below as you play. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares.
Game-specific help
What is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. No download or player account is required.
When I start, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. No download or player account is required.
When I start, does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The controls work with mouse or touch.
