Game guide · QWBEN
Rules, controls and help for Kakurasu
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Give this approach a try
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
Understand the aim
Take a moment to check the current turn. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Step by step
- 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.
How your actions work
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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.
Put the rules into context
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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 game area remains available above the explanation.
Avoid this misunderstanding
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Helpful answers for players
During a round, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. A new round resets the current 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, 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.
During a round, 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.
During a round, 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.
On this page, 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.
