| View previous topic :: View next topic   | 
	
	
	
		| Author | 
		Message | 
	
	
		keith
 
 
  Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 3355 Location: near Detroit, Michigan, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:24 pm    Post subject: LA Times / Freep 26 Sep, 2008 | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				Not yet attempted: 	  | Code: | 	 		  Puzzle: FP092608
 
+-------+-------+-------+
 
| . . . | . . . | 8 . . | 
 
| . 5 . | 6 . . | 9 1 . | 
 
| 6 3 . | . 1 . | . . . | 
 
+-------+-------+-------+
 
| . . . | 8 . . | . . 2 | 
 
| . 9 . | . 6 . | 5 8 . | 
 
| 4 . . | 5 . 3 | . . . | 
 
+-------+-------+-------+
 
| . . . | . 3 . | . 4 1 | 
 
| . 1 6 | . . 7 | . 5 . | 
 
| . . 7 | . . . | . . . | 
 
+-------+-------+-------+ | 	  Keith | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		nataraj
 
 
  Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 1048 Location: near Vienna, Austria
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:20 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				This (after one kite r5c1<>7 ) is tough:
 
 	  | Code: | 	 		  
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 1279    27      1249     | 3       24579   2459     | 8       267     4567     | 
 
| 278     5       248      | 6       2478    248      | 9       1       3        | 
 
| 6       3       2489     | 24-79   1       24589    | 24a     27*     457      | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 157     67      15       | 8       479     149      | 1346b   3679    2        | 
 
| 12      9       3        | 1247*   6       124      | 5       8       47c      | 
 
| 4       2678    128      | 5       279     3        | 16      679     679      | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 2589    28      2589     | 29      3       6        | 7       4       1        | 
 
| 239     1       6        | 249     2489    7        | 23      5       89       | 
 
| 239     4       7        | 129     2589    12589    | 236     2369    689      | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
 
 | 	  
 
There is an elimination based on strong links and/or bi-values in 4 and 7 in col 7, box 6 and row 5:
 
 
(7=2)r3c8-(2=4)r3c7-(4)r4c7=(4-7)r5c9=(7)r5c4; r3c4<>7
 
 
[Notice that if r3c7=4 then r5c9 is also 4. (Most "wings" start with an observation like this one)
 
But if r5c9=4 it cannot be 7 and then r5c4=7. 
 
 
How will r3c7 be 4 ? Only if it is not 2 and that happens when r3c8 is not 7.
 
Take it all together and we get: if r3c8<>7 then r5c4=7]
 
 
7 is now a naked single in r5c4.
 
 
 
After cleanup, another roadblock here:
 
 	  | Code: | 	 		  
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 1279    27*     1249     | 3       24579   2459     | 8       26      56       | 
 
| -278*   5       248      | 6       2478    248      | 9       1       3        | 
 
| 6       3       289      | 29      1       2589     | 4       27      57       | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 157     67      15       | 8       49      149      | 136     379     2        | 
 
| 12      9       3        | 7       6       12       | 5       8       4        | 
 
| 4       2678    128      | 5       29      3        | 16      679     679      | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 2589b   28a     2589     | 29      3       6        | 7       4       1        | 
 
| 239     1       6        | 4       289     7        | 23      5       89       | 
 
| 239     4       7        | 1       2589    2589     | 236     369     689      | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
 | 	  
 
Again, a short AIC is the best I can do:
 
(7=2)r1c2-(2=8)r7c2-(8)r7c1=(8)r2c1; r2c1<>2
 
 
With 2 gone from r2c1, there is now an xy-wing 78-27-28 and the puzzle gets going once more.
 
 
Finally, here
 
 	  | Code: | 	 		  
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 19      7       149      | 3       459     459      | 8       2       6        | 
 
| 8       5       24       | 6       7       24       | 9       1       3        | 
 
| 6       3       29       | 29      1       8        | 4       7       5        | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 7       6       5        | 8       49      149      | 13      39      2        | 
 
| 12      9       3        | 7       6       12       | 5       8       4        | 
 
| 4       28      18       | 5       29      3        | 16      69      7        | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
| 5       28      89       | 29      3       6        | 7       4       1        | 
 
| 239     1       6        | 4       289     7        | 23      5       89       | 
 
| 239     4       7        | 1       2589    259      | 236     36      89       | 
 
+--------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+ 
 
 | 	  
 
there is a UR (89) type 4, but coloring on 2 yields a better harvest.
 
 
Awfully advanced for a newspaper sudoku, if you ask me ... I must have missed something there. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		Marty R.
 
 
  Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 5770 Location: Rochester, NY, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:08 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				| I can't make a dent in this thing. I had a worthless ER and Finned X-Wing. I tried it a second time to see if I might've missed something, but it was the same. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		keith
 
 
  Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 3355 Location: near Detroit, Michigan, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:59 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				I think we should throw this one on the trash pile.
 
 
I have checked that I posted the correct puzzle.  Sudoku Susser uses four very obscure chains to solve it.
 
 
RIP.
 
 
Keith | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		daj95376
 
 
  Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 3854
 
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:43 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				Epilog:
 
 
 	  | Code: | 	 		   after basics
 
 *--------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
 | 1279   27     1249   | 3      24579  2459   | 8      267    4567   |
 
 |*278#   5      248    | 6     *2478#  248    | 9      1      3      |
 
 | 6      3      2489   |*2479   1      24589  | 24     27     457    |
 
 |----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
 
 | 157    67     15     | 8      479#   149    | 1346   3679   2      |
 
 | 12-7   9      3      |*1247#  6      124    | 5      8      47     |
 
 | 4      2678   128    | 5      279#   3      | 16     679    679    |
 
 |----------------------+----------------------+----------------------|
 
 | 2589   28     2589   | 29     3      6      | 7      4      1      |
 
 | 239    1      6      | 249    2489   7      | 23     5      89     |
 
 | 239    4      7      | 129    2589   12589  | 236    2369   689    |
 
 *--------------------------------------------------------------------*
 
 
 2-String Kite (*) or Empty Rectangle (#)                     =>  [r5c1]<>7
 
 
 [r2c1]=2, [r5c1]=1, [r4c3]=5, [r7c3]<>5, [r7c1]=5, [r2c1]=8  =>  [r2c1]<>2
 
 
  XY-Wing  [r1c2]/[r2c1]+[r7c2]                               =>  [r7c1]<>8
 
 
  Skyscraper                                                  =>  [r89c5]<>2
 
 | 	 
  | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		Marty R.
 
 
  Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 5770 Location: Rochester, NY, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:55 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				
 
How do you differentiate between a 2-string kite and a kite? What I see with the (*) cells is what I was taught was a simple case of strong links, except the two strong links are perpendicular, as opposed to a parallel skyscraper. This was later named a kite to the best of my knowledge. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		daj95376
 
 
  Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 3854
 
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:22 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | Marty R. wrote: | 	 		  
 
How do you differentiate between a 2-string kite and a kite? What I see with the (*) cells is what I was taught was a simple case of strong links, except the two strong links are perpendicular, as opposed to a parallel skyscraper. This was later named a kite to the best of my knowledge. | 	  
 
I learned it as a 2-String Kite. It gets its name from the box being the kite and the two strong links being visualized as the two strings.
 
 
In Sudopedia, under Solving Techniques: Single Digit Patterns, it lists: Skyscraper, 2-String Kite, and Empty Rectangle. For the most part, they are all specialized forms of Turbot Fish.
 
 
I just assumed that everyone here was abbreviating it to kite.
 
 
Note: Many patterns have differing definitions and are sometimes implemented contrary to their definitions.
  Last edited by daj95376 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:48 am; edited 1 time in total | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		arkietech
 
 
  Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1834 Location: Northwest Arkansas USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:52 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				daj95376 said 	  | Quote: | 	 		  In Sudopedia, under Solving Techniques: Single Digit Patterns, it lists: Skyscraper, 2-String Kite, and Empty Rectangle. They are all specialized forms of Turbot Fish. 
 
 | 	  
 
 
Can anyone show me an example where a kite or skyscraper is not an empty rectangle?
 
 
dan | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		cgordon
 
 
  Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 769 Location: ontario, canada
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:29 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				| Whoa! I spent a long time on this.  I probably found the same useless ER as Marty - then nothing.  Why would the LA Times produce a Suduko whose solution is unsolvable for the vast majority of their readers?   Inexcusable I say! | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		keith
 
 
  Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 3355 Location: near Detroit, Michigan, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:39 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | arkietech wrote: | 	 		  daj95376 said 	  | Quote: | 	 		  In Sudopedia, under Solving Techniques: Single Digit Patterns, it lists: Skyscraper, 2-String Kite, and Empty Rectangle. They are all specialized forms of Turbot Fish. 
 
 | 	  
 
 
Can anyone show me an example where a kite or skyscraper is not an empty rectangle?
 
 
dan | 	  
 
@ is a skyscraper, # are the eliminations.
 
 	  | Code: | 	 		  +-------+-------+-------+
 
| . @ . | . . . | # . # |
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
| # . # | . . . | . @ . |
 
+-------+-------+-------+
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
+-------+-------+-------+
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
| . . . | . . . | . . . |
 
| . @ . | . . . | . @ . |
 
+-------+-------+-------+ | 	  
 
Another thing to consider is that an ER makes an elimination in only one cell..
 
Keith | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		Asellus
 
 
  Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 865 Location: Sonoma County, CA, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:04 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | nataraj wrote: | 	 		  Again, a short AIC is the best I can do: 
 
(7=2)r1c2-(2=8)r7c2-(8)r7c1=(8)r2c1; r2c1<>2 | 	  
 
This AIC is valid, but not the elimination.  It is <7> that is eliminated from r2c1.  This is why it can be good practice to include the weak link discontinuity in your Eureka notation:
 
(7)r2c1 - (7=2)r1c2 - (2=8)r7c2 - (8)r7c1=(8-7)r2c1; r2c1<>7
 
 
Danny showed that there is also an AIC in the same grid that eliminates that <2>:
 
(2)r2c1 - (2=1)r5c1 - (1=5)r4c3 - (5)r7c3=(5-8)r7c1=(8-2)r2c1; r2c1<>2
 
 
Thus, r2c1=8.
 
 
Rather than two separate AICs, this can be done as a single (though not as easy to see) AIC:
 
(8)r2c1=(8)r23c3 - ALS[(8)r6c3=(1)r5c1|r6c3] - (1=5)r4c3 - (5)r7c3=(5-8)r7c1=(8)r2c1; r2c1=8
 
 
I expect that this is a good puzzle for practicing Medusa multicoloring. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		Asellus
 
 
  Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 865 Location: Sonoma County, CA, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:30 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				In nataraj's first grid (after the 7 Kite), there is a not very helpful Finned X-Wing that removes <7> from r1c9.
 
 
nataraj's <7> elimination in r3c4 can be revealed with a simple Medusa multi-coloring.  However, the <4> can be eliminated from that same cell with an AIC that is even simpler in the sense that it is a basic Medusa elimination:
 
(4)r3c4 - (4)r3c7=(4)r4c7 - (4=7)r5c9 - (7)r5c4=(7-4)r3c4; r3c4<>4 | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		arkietech
 
 
  Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1834 Location: Northwest Arkansas USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:14 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				keith said: 	  | Quote: | 	 		  Another thing to consider is that an ER makes an elimination in only one cell.. 
 
 | 	  
 
Doesn't a turbot also remove only one? Can't overlapping turbots and ers be considered? This is interesting   | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		daj95376
 
 
  Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 3854
 
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:28 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | keith wrote: | 	 		  | Another thing to consider is that an ER makes an elimination in only one cell. | 	  
 
Keith, I wish you hadn't opened this bag of worms.
 
 
[Withdrawn:] I don't want to get into another definition/name debate!
  Last edited by daj95376 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:35 am; edited 2 times in total | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		daj95376
 
 
  Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 3854
 
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:40 pm    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | arkietech wrote: | 	 		  Can anyone show me an example where a kite or skyscraper is not an empty rectangle?
 
 | 	  
 
In my PM where I have a 2-String Kite (*) and an Empty Rectangle (#) marked, if cell [r4c6] had contained a 7 as well, then the 2-String Kite would still be valid but the Empty Rectangle would no longer be valid. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		arkietech
 
 
  Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1834 Location: Northwest Arkansas USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:03 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				| Thanks to all for the help. I will close this bag of worms. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		nataraj
 
 
  Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 1048 Location: near Vienna, Austria
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:24 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | Asellus wrote: | 	 		  
 
This AIC is valid, but not the elimination.  It is <7> that is eliminated from r2c1.  This is why it can be good practice to include the weak link discontinuity in your Eureka notation | 	  
 
 
Absolutely right.    (And I'll adapt another good practice: not to post after midnight)
 
 
Thanks, Asellus. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		keith
 
 
  Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 3355 Location: near Detroit, Michigan, USA
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:36 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | daj95376 wrote: | 	 		   	  | keith wrote: | 	 		  | Another thing to consider is that an ER makes an elimination in only one cell. | 	  
 
Keith, I wish you hadn't opened this bag of worms.
 
 
[Withdrawn:] I don't want to get into another definition/name debate! | 	  Why not?  I, for one, have learned recently that an ER is a distinct pattern.  (I had thought that I could ignore ER's, for I would always find the elimination by other means, like a kite.  Not true.)
 
 
Anyway, I think the term "skyscraper" was coined by Havard in his classic explanation of strong links.  Seems pretty clear to me.
 
 
http://www.sudoku.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=3326
 
 
He acknowledges a connection to Turbot fish.  (The problem is, I think, no one ever goes looking for Turbot fish.  We look for kites, skyscrapers and ER's.)
 
 
Keith | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		nataraj
 
 
  Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 1048 Location: near Vienna, Austria
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:37 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				Thanks for the link, Keith! I think that is a great tutorial.
 
 
(remainder of original post deleted)
  Last edited by nataraj on Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:23 am; edited 1 time in total | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		daj95376
 
 
  Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 3854
 
  | 
		
			
				 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:31 am    Post subject:  | 
				     | 
			 
			
				
  | 
			 
			
				 	  | keith wrote: | 	 		  Anyway, I think the term "skyscraper" was coined by Havard in his classic explanation of strong links.  Seems pretty clear to me.
 
 
http://www.sudoku.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=3326
 
 
He acknowledges a connection to Turbot fish.  (The problem is, I think, no one ever goes looking for Turbot fish.  We look for kites, skyscrapers and ER's.)
 
 | 	  
 
Havard's presentation is great. I just take exception with his statement:
 
 
 	  | Quote: | 	 		  This pattern is part of the Turbot Fish, and I have named it a "skyscraper" because of the way the two strong links looks a bit like two skyscrapers to me.
 
 | 	  
 
The definition of a Turbot Fish is a pentagon pattern that allows for at most one elimination from what I've been able to determine. This works okay for a (2-String) Kite and (basic) Empty Rectangle but it doesn't work IMO for the general case Skyscraper.
 
 
To perform the four eliminations in Havard's diagram of a Skyscraper, it would take 4x Turbot Fish eliminations ... or 2x Sashimi X-Wings ... or one Siamese Sashimi X-Wing. Yes, I said 2x Sashimi X-Wings ... and not one as indicated in Sudopedia.
 
 
With the introduction of grouped strong links, grouped versions of these old patterns have been adopted. I'm fine with that -- like in the puzzle CE_37 that I presented recently ... and everyone has ignored. I don't blame them. | 
			 
		  | 
	
	
		| Back to top | 
		 | 
	
	
		  | 
	
	
		 |