Game guide · SXSMQZJ
The essentials of playing Kakurasu
Take a moment to check the current turn. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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 beyond the first move
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
Check the rule below as you play. 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 walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
The controls to know
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
Follow the example
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
Avoid this misunderstanding
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Clarifying the way this game works
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.
For this game, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
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. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, 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.
For this game, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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.