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Learn your way around Kakurasu

Try a more deliberate round

Take a moment to check the current turn. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.

The goal to keep in mind

Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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

  1. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
  2. A marked cell contributes its column number to its row sum, and its row number to its column sum.
  3. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
  4. Match all rows and columns to complete the puzzle. Each generated puzzle is checked to have one solution.

Your inputs

Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board.

A closer look at one example

Read the position before choosing your 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.

Notice this detail

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.

A few questions answered

When I start, what is the aim of Kakurasu?

Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

On this page, how do the controls work?

Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. You can start a new round from the game controls.

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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

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.

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. You can start a new round from the game controls.

During a round, how many people can play here?

Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.

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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

During a round, 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 game is played locally in your browser.

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. A new round resets the current game.

Can I clear a square?

Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. You can start a new round from the game controls.