Game guide · LYLIANYING
The essentials of playing Kakurasu
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Something to practise
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.
What counts as success
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.
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.
Controls
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
A closer look at one 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.
One detail worth checking
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Questions that come up during play
When I start, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
What does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The game is played locally in your browser.