The object is to draw a line through the numbered circles in ascending order and traversing every white square. I beat my head against it for hours before finally finding the solution.
5 Likes
Yowzer.
Since you’ve posted, I’ve worked on this off & on…FINALLY solved this one.
I’ve solved dozens of others in the meantime, but this one…such a block!
I’m not sure whether to thank you for the nifty game, or curse you for giving me another way to wile away my time…
2 Likes
Both?
This one may be even tougher than the first:
1 Like
This one is tricky though not as difficult as the others:
This one is tough, second only to the second one posted:
I did not emphasize before that the line must not cross itself; that is a major key to solving these puzzles. First try to draw a simple line connecting “1” to the last one, then redo parts to traverse every white square.
This is a different kind of puzzle and I have not yet been able to crack it despite making many stabs at it over many days:
The object is to sort the balls into columns each of the same color. A ball may only be moved into an empty column or on top of a ball of the same color in a non-full column.
My suspicion is that there is only one “correct” set of moves and it has eluded me so far…
I just solved this rather tricky one:
Instead of solving it on the site, I tend to make a textual representation in a text editor and manipulate it there so that reverting to previous states is possible.
The end result is a “road map” to enter the result on the site.
The bigger steps to the answer of the solved puzzle are:
Ma Bl Li Re Gr Cy
Pi Bl Ye Li Gr Bl
Re Pi Or Pi Li Or
Pu Ye Ye Re Or Cy
Pu Cy Ma Pu . .
Gr Ye Re Ma . .
Cy Li Pi Gr . .
Ma Pu Bl Or . .---
1
Li Re Gr Cy
Pi Ye Li Gr Bl
Re Pi Or Pi Li Or
Pu Ye Ye Re Or Cy
Pu Cy Pu . .
Gr Ye Re Ma . .
Cy Li Pi Gr Bl Ma
Ma Pu Bl Or Bl Ma---
2
Re Pi Li Gr Cy
Re Pi Ye Li Gr Bl
Re Pi Or Pi Li Or
Pu Ye Ye Re Or Cy
Pu Cy Pu . .
Gr Ye Ma Bl .
Cy Li Gr Bl Ma
Ma Pu Or Bl Ma---
3
Re Pi Li Gr
Re Pi Or Li Gr
Re Pi Or Pi Li
Pu Ye Ye Re Or .
Pu Ye Pu Bl .
Gr Ye Cy Ma Bl .
Cy Li Cy Gr Bl Ma
Ma Pu Cy Or Bl Ma---
4
Re Pi Or Li Gr
Re Pi Or Li Gr
Re Pi Or Pi Li Pu
Pu Ye Ye Re Or Pu
Gr Ye Bl .
Gr Ye Cy Bl Ma
Cy Li Cy Bl Ma
Ma Pu Cy Bl Ma---
5
Or Re Gr
Ye Or Re Gr Pu
Ye Or Re Li Pu
Ye Ye Re Or Pu
Gr Li Pi Bl .
Gr Li Cy Pi Bl Ma
Cy Li Cy Pi Bl Ma
Ma Pu Cy Pi Bl Ma---
6
Or Re Gr Pu
Li Ye Or Re Gr Pu
Li Ye Or Re Li Pu
Li Ye Ye Re Or Pu
Gr Pi Bl .
Gr Cy Pi Bl Ma
Cy Cy Pi Bl Ma
Ma Cy Pi Bl Ma---
7
Or Re Gr Pu
Li Ye Or Re Gr Pu
Li Ye Or Re Li Pu
Li Ye Ye Re Or Pu
Cy Pi Bl Ma
Cy Pi Bl Ma
Gr Cy Pi Bl Ma
Gr Cy Pi Bl Ma
2 Likes
This one is tricky…
And another:
1 Like
I sometimes try different kinds of puzzles.
The latest is Numberlink:
The object is to connect each pair of numbers with a line
- Lines may not cross
- No line may double back on itself
- All squares must be occupied
I took several stabs at the Sep 23 one - no joy.
On each subsequent day, I would try again and continue to fail. Then attempt the new one for the day - those I have been able to solve. Last night, I finally managed to complete the original one.
1 Like
Another really tough puzzle finally bit the dust…
Ye La Bl La Ma Ye Gr
La Fi Gr Ye Bl Or Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Or Cy Fi Re Li . .
Cy Pi Gr Pu Or . .
Pu Re Cy Pi Fi . .
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi . .---
1
Ye La La Ma Ye Li
La Fi Ye Bl Or Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Or Cy Fi Re . .
Cy Pi Gr Pu Or . .
Pu Re Cy Pi Fi . Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Bl Gr---
2
Ye La Ye Ma Or Li
La Fi La Ye Bl Or Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Or Cy Fi Re . .
Cy Pi Gr Pu . .
Pu Re Cy Pi Fi . Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Bl Gr---
3
Ye La Ye Bl Or Li
La Ma La Ye Bl Or Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Or Cy Fi Re . .
Cy Pi Gr Pu Fi . .
Pu Re Cy Pi Fi . Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Gr---
4
Ye La Ye Bl Li
La Ma La Ye Bl Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Cy Re Fi . .
Pi Cy Pu Fi Or Gr
Pu Re Cy Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Or Gr---
5
La Bl Li
La Ma La Bl Pu Li
Re Ma La Ma Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Pu Cy Bl Ma
Ye Cy Re Fi . .
Ye Pi Cy Pu Fi Or Gr
Ye Re Cy Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Or Gr---
6
Ma La Bl Pu Li
La Ma La Bl Pu Li
Re Ma La Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi Cy Bl Ma
Ye Cy Re Fi . .
Ye Pi Cy Pu Fi Or Gr
Ye Re Cy Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Or Gr---
7
Ma La Bl Pu Li
Ma La Bl Pu Li
Re Ma La Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi La Cy Bl Ma
Ye Cy Re Fi . .
Ye Pi Cy Pu Fi Or Gr
Ye Re Cy Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Gr Re Fi Pi Or Gr---
8
Ma La Bl Pu Li
Re Ma La Bl Pu Li
Re Ma Pi La Or Pu Li
Li Bl Pi La Cy Bl Ma
Ye Cy Re Fi . Gr
Ye Cy Pu Fi Or Gr
Ye Cy Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Re Fi Pi Or Gr---
9
Li La Pu Ma
Li Bl La Pu Ma
Li Bl Pi La Pu Ma
Li Bl Pi La Bl Ma
Ye Cy Re Fi Or Gr
Ye Cy Re Pu Fi Or Gr
Ye Cy Re Pi Fi Or Gr
Ye Cy Re Fi Pi Or Gr
2 Likes
Knocked down another toughie last night:
Gr Re Ma La Bl Pu Cy
Gr Fi Ye Bl Re Pi Gr
Li Ye Bl Re Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu La Ma Cy Ma
Or Pi Or La Fi . .
Pi Pu Li Bl Re . .
Ma Pu Pi Li Or . .
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or . .---
1
Gr Re Ma La Bl Pi Cy
Gr Fi Ye Bl Re Pi Gr
Li Ye Bl Re Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu La Ma Cy Ma
Or Or La Fi . .
Pi Pu Li Bl Re . .
Ma Pu Pi Li Or .
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or Pu .---
2
Gr Ma La Bl Pi Cy
Gr Fi Ye Bl Re Pi Gr
Li Ye Bl Re Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu La Ma Cy Ma
Pu La Or . .
Pi Pu Li Bl Or . .
Ma Pu Pi Li Or Re
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or Fi Re---
3
Gr Fi Ma Bl Pi Cy
Gr Fi Ye Re Pi Gr
Li Ye Bl Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu Ma Cy Ma
Pu Bl Or . .
Pi Pu Li Bl Or La Re
Ma Pu Pi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or La Re---
4
Gr Fi Bl Bl Cy
Gr Fi Bl Pi Re Ye Gr
Li Ye Bl Pi Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu Pi Ma Cy Ma
Pu Or . .
Ma Pu Li Or La Re
Ma Pu Pi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or La Re---
5
Bl Pi Bl Ye Cy
Gr Bl Pi Re Ye Gr
Li Gr Bl Pi Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu Pi Ma Cy Ma
Pu Or . .
Ma Pu Fi Li Or La Re
Ma Pu Fi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Fi Or La Re---
6
Li Bl Pi Bl Ye Cy
Li Gr Bl Pi Re Ye Gr
Li Gr Bl Pi Cy Ye Li
La Gr Pu Pi Ma Cy Ma
Pu Fi Or . .
Ma Pu Fi Or La Re
Ma Pu Fi Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Or La Re---
7
Pu Pi Bl Ye Cy
Bl Gr Pu Pi Re Ye Gr
Bl Gr Pu Pi Cy Ye Li
Bl Gr Pu Pi Ma Cy Ma
Fi Or La .
Ma Fi Li Or La Re
Ma Fi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Li Or La Re---
8
Gr Pu Pi Bl Ye
Bl Gr Pu Pi Re Ye
Bl Gr Pu Pi Cy Ye
Bl Gr Pu Pi Ma Cy Ma
Fi Li Or La .
Ma Fi Li Or La Re
Ma Cy Fi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Li Or La Re---
9
Gr Pu Pi Bl
Bl Gr Pu Pi Re Ma
Bl Gr Pu Pi Cy Ma
Bl Gr Pu Pi Ma Ma
Ye Fi Li Or La .
Ye Cy Fi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Li Or La Re
Ye Cy Fi Li Or La Re
2 Likes
12 column puzzles are not usually very hard, but this one was.
Pu Ma Pu Pi Pu Or
Or Pi Bl Cy Ma Gr
Cy Bl Gr Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Ye Pi Ma Ye . .
Bl Re Re Pi . .
Li Gr Ma Bl . .
Re Gr Re Cy . .---
1
Pu Pi Pu Pi Pu Or
Or Pi Bl Cy Ma Gr
Cy Bl Gr Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Ye Re Ye . .
Bl Re Pi . .
Li Gr Ma Bl Ma .
Re Gr Re Cy Ma .---
2
Or Pi Pu Pi Pu
Or Pi Bl Cy Ma Pu
Cy Bl Gr Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Ye Ye . .
Bl Gr Re Pi Ma .
Li Gr Re Bl Ma .
Re Gr Re Cy Ma ---
3
Bl Pu Pu
Cy Or Bl Ma Pu
Cy Or Gr Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Ye Ye .
Bl Gr Re Pi Ma Pi
Li Gr Re Bl Ma Pi
Re Gr Re Cy Ma Pi---
4
Cy Bl Ye Pu Pu
Cy Or Bl Ye Ma Pu
Cy Or Gr Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Bl . Pi
Bl Gr Re Ma Pi
Li Gr Re Ma Pi
Re Gr Re Ma Pi---
5
Cy Ye Pu Pu
Cy Or Ye Ma Pu
Cy Or Li Ye Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Li Or
Gr Re Bl . Pi
Gr Re Bl Ma Pi
Gr Re Bl Ma Pi
Gr Re Bl Ma Pi---
6
Cy Pu Pu
Cy Or Li Ma Pu
Cy Or Li Ye Pu
Cy Or Li Li Or
Gr Re Bl . Pi
Ye Gr Re Bl Ma Pi
Ye Gr Re Bl Ma Pi
Ye Gr Re Bl Ma PiAnother tough one solved:
I only appear to show four steps, but many moves are needed for each step.
Pi Gr Ye Li Ma Bl Cy
Pu Bl Ma Re Pi Or Bl
Ma Fi Or Fi La Ye Pu
Gr Pi Cy Or Pi Cy Bl
La Ye Pu Li Cy . .
Ma Li Ye Re Li . .
Or La Gr Fi Pu . .
La Re Re Fi Gr . .---
1
Pu Gr Li Pi Bl Cy
Pu Bl Or Re Pi Or Bl
Ma Fi Or Fi La Ye Pu
Gr Pi Cy Or Pi Cy Bl
Ye Ye Li Cy . .
Li Ye Re Li . Ma
La Gr Fi Pu La Ma
Re Re Fi Gr La Ma---
2
Bl Or Li Pi Cy
Bl Or Re Pi Bl
Fi Or Fi La Cy Pu
Gr Pi Cy Or Pi Cy Bl
Ye Li Li Pu . Ma
Ye Li Gr Re Pu . Ma
Ye La Gr Fi Pu La Ma
Ye Re Re Fi Gr La Ma---
3
Li Bl Or Pi Cy
Li Bl Or Pi Cy Bl
Li Fi Or La Cy Pu
Li Pi Or Pi Cy Bl
Ye Gr Pu . Ma
Ye Re Gr Fi Pu La Ma
Ye Re Gr Fi Pu La Ma
Ye Re Re Fi Gr La Ma---
4
Li Bl Or Pi Cy
Li Bl Gr Or Pi Cy Bl
Li Fi Gr Or La Cy Pu
Li Pi Gr Or Pi Cy Bl
Ye Re Pu . Ma
Ye Re Fi Pu La Ma
Ye Re Fi Pu La Ma
Ye Re Fi Gr La MaThis one looked very intimidating to start. If you have any interest at all in this kind of puzzle, I urge you to follow along and solve this one to watch it fall apart.
Pi Pi Pi Gr La Ma Pi
Ye Ma Gr Bl Fi Or Or
Fi Fi Or La Fi Cy Cy
Pu Bl Cy Bl Pu Ma Re
Re Bl Ye Ye La . .
Li Ye Cy Gr Re . .
Pu Re Li Gr Or . .
Pu Li La Ma Li . .---
1
Pi Pi Pi La Ma Pi
Ye Ma Gr Fi Or Or
Fi Fi Or Fi Cy Cy
Pu Bl Cy Bl Pu Ma Re
Re Ye Ye Gr La . .
Li Ye Cy Gr Re . .
Pu Re Li Gr Or Bl .
Pu Li La Ma Li Bl La---
2
Ye Ma
Ye Ma Gr Bl Fi Or Or
Fi Fi Or Bl Fi Cy Cy
Pu Bl Cy Bl Pu Ma Re
Ye Gr Re Pi .
Li Ye Cy Gr Re Pi La
Pu Re Li Gr Or Pi La
Pu Li La Ma Li Pi La---
3
Ye Ma Or
Ye Ma Gr Bl Fi Or Cy
Fi Fi Or Bl Fi Cy Cy
Pu Bl Cy Bl Pu Ma Re
Li Ye Gr Re Pi La
Li Ye Gr Re Pi La
Pu Re Gr Or Pi La
Pu Li Ma Li Pi La---
4
Ye Or Bl Fi Cy
Ye Or Bl Fi Cy
Fi Or Bl Fi Cy
Pu Cy Bl Pu Re
Li Ye Gr Ma Re Pi La
Li Ye Gr Ma Re Pi La
Pu Re Gr Ma Or Pi La
Pu Li Gr Ma Li Pi La---
5
Ye Or Cy Bl Fi
Ye Or Cy Bl Fi Re
Fi Or Cy Bl Fi Re
Pu Or Cy Bl Pu Re
Ye Gr Ma Pi La
Ye Gr Ma Li Pi La
Pu Re Gr Ma Li Pi La
Pu Li Gr Ma Li Pi LaConfession: I did not foresee this result.
I am not good at chess because I cannot see enough moves ahead to play a great game. But I can see far enough ahead to be able to solve most of these puzzles.
To illustrate, I show how I go about solving a maze.
I paste a screen grab into a raster editor and work on it there.
A brute-force approach is to pretend to put a left or right hand on the wall and walk to the solution. But what fun is that?
Instead, I examine possible paths and block off dead ends.
By not playing on the puzzle site, I can approach the problem from both the start and the finish, much like “cheating” when deriving an equation in math or science class. Such is the case with this maze.
This branch is complicated, but not so much that I cannot determine in my head that it is a dead end.
If a branch is too complex to complicated to do in my head, I analyze sub branches off of that branch; if the entire branch proves to be a dead end, I use UNDO to remove the extraneous yellow marks.
When the puzzle is solved, I use flood fill to color in the dead ends, leaving a clear path to follow on the puzzle site.
I find this approach both challenging and entertaining enough to pursue.
3 Likes
I forgot to mention that in the event I get confused because there are too many dead ends marked, I sometimes flood fill all of the dead ends identified so far to make them stand out.
If I am unsure about a complex branch I just marked, I flood fill it to verify.
I do not do this because it takes away from the challenge, but it is very possible to cheat by marking and flood filling every branch encountered and using UNDO to back out if the finish is included.
1 Like
When I initially started using PuzzleMadness https://puzzlemadness.co.uk/ I tried various puzzles at their default difficulty level, usually medium.
I am now good enough at NumberMaze that I am seldom stumped at the medium level. To add to the challenge, I sometimes try to solve the puzzle using only a single prolonged swipe of the mouse.
Some of the puzzles I could not solve at all. And some I solve with major effort as previously documented here.
Looking at the leaderboards, I wondered how some of them managed to rack up high scores so quickly. They must use puzzle “solver” sites, I initially thought, but there are few of those that I can find. So I finally tried the “easy” difficulty level. What is surprising that the number of points for solving some easy puzzles is not significantly lower than medium ones, but they can be solved much faster.
So if you have tried some of the puzzles and not have much luck, I urge you to attempt the easy level.
The easy NumberMaze puzzles are almost trivial after experience with the medium ones. The easy BallSort puzzles I can readily solve on the fly without having to work them out in a text editor first. The one NumberLink puzzle I was able to figure out was not nearly as challenging on the easy level and now I am good enough to solve the medium ones with some effort. Some puzzles I was never able to solve such as PipeTurn are doable on the easy level.
You have to traverse every cell:
Solve the easy level first until you get good at it.
That one looks tricky and I’ll have to think about it.
1 Like
You did not provide a link so that I can try solving it on the site.
I finally pasted a screenshot and solved it there…
I just solved a tricky one.
You have to consider that colors may never cross and that some squares around the edges may only be one color.
