Game guide · 2COU99BJ
Kakurasu: a guide for your next round
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.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Bring this focus to a round
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The purpose of your moves
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Start here and follow along
- 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.
Keyboard and screen controls
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
A useful example
The board gives you the information needed for the 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Watch out for this
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.
A few questions answered
During a round, 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.
How do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. No download or player account is required.
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. No download or player account is required.
When I start, 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.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
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.
On this page, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. A new round resets the current game.
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.
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.