How long is the test?

Magic square: usually a 3x3 magic square contains the numbers 1-9 each once. The example conforms to this additional rule. However the instructions do not seem to require it.
So: are the magic squares supposed to also be regions in which 1-9 each appear once, or can numbers repeat in the magic square as long as the sums along rows, columns and diagonals are equal ?

In Unique Sums, can the digits repeat in a cage?

90 minutes - It is mentioned on the contest page.

No

The answer key for the Killer Pair example sudoku does not follow the rules of the puzzle (R8C6 and R8C7 add up to 10 instead of 11, and R8C7 and R8C8 add up to 11 instead of 6), and the puzzle itself seems to be broken: there is no way to place a 4 in column 6 without breaking the entire puzzle. The puzzle was fixed right as I posted this, funnily enough.

Also, for Diagonal Skyscrapers, how will two of the same number be handled if they are next to each other in the diagonal line? Will the further building be considered as hidden behind the closer building, or will both numbers count towards the total?

Edited by randomperson1729 2020-07-29 11:15 PM

Numbers cannot repeat in a magic square.

Two or more buildings of same height diagonally will be treated as one building.

As usual too many hard puzzles (for a timed test) for me but I guess speed-solving is just not my specialty and never, never ever will be. I was having fun, going in order until the Liar Sudoku. I spent almost an hour on this (until time was gone) and still couldn't solve it and just got frustrated.

Sorry for the negative tone of the previous comment--I was quite flustered...I tried to add the following as an edit but was too late: The puzzles seemed to be VERY high quality with logical paths...I can finish them up today, on my own time. Thanks to the authors and LMI for continuing to offer such interesting puzzle sets. It is why I keep coming back despite getting frustrated.

Thanks Akash for an interesting and high-quality Sudoku set. I struggle in tests that involve too many puzzles to be solved in less time, and this was no different. I had it in my mind that I have 6 minutes for each Sudoku and as soon as the clock went past 6 minutes for each Sudoku, I panicked, and thus, made silly mistakes in Missing Arrow, Kropki, Liar and Unique Sums. This ruined my test. This test would be much more enjoyable without time restrictions.

Thanks a lot Akash for a tremendous set of sudokus.The solve paths were super fun and highly challenging. I am totally disappointed with my own performance though. After getting the higher pointers in a fairly decent time, the test got ruined more or less becuase of a single sudoku (Diagonal Skyscrapers). I totally missed the intended solve path and messed it up completely. Lost about 20 minutes in the process without finishing it and to add to that frustration, the timer ran out when I was entering the answer key of Killer Pair. So what could have been an 800+ score turned sub-par.

Also, I felt that 90 minutes was of a lesser duration for getting through so many hard sudokus.Nevertheless, I relished the contest and hope to find the logic in the ones that I guessed.

sorry, I can't find password and submission page..
Where can I find this link ?

thank you !

See the top right of the page, where it says Quinze 2 has started. Click on "Quinze 2".

Coming off from the SM's I totally under estimated this test and decided to work from the back.
Boy was I hustling in the last 30 minutes. A very nice change from the mellow SM's.
Special kudos to the Liar Sudoku - a beautiful grid indeed. Thermo felt a bit bashy for me - don't know what I missed.

Thanks Akash for the nice puzzles.
Also, when can we expect some ratings update? It's been a year or so now.

Those sudoku were very hard, in my opinion; I would have appreciated an extra 30 minutes to work on them -- as it was I only got through about half the test. However, they were all enjoyable and well-made! Thanks, Akash!

Thanks, Akash for this brilliant set of Sudoku puzzles. Every puzzle has a very good logical path. Enjoyed every puzzle while solving it offline or during the test.
Once again thanks for this Sudoku test.
I agree with the earlier feedback that ratings can be updated now. It has been more than a year now when the LMI rating was last updated.

https://youtu.be/KwvIYLh53nI

Unique Sums Sudoku by Akash Doulani. This Sudoku Featured in this contest. Do check this very difficult sudoku.

https://youtu.be/19goWKskGKM

A second video on this Channel of Sudoku from this contest. The logic involved in this Sudoku is really good. Do check out the video.