Game guide · GCROWNSPA
The Kakurasu playbook
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. 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.
Practice with a purpose
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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.
How to use the controls
Take a moment to check the current turn. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board.
An example before you play
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Questions that come up during play
For this game, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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.
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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, 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. 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. A new round resets the current game.