Game guide · CQMELISSA
Making your first moves in Kakurasu
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Build familiarity through play
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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 challenge in front of you
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 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.
Making selections and moves
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Put the rules into context
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
An important reminder
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Read these answers for extra help
During a round, 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.
When I start, 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.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. A new round resets the current 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.
On this page, does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. The instructions above use these same rules.
Can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
