Game guide · XDSTMALL
Know the goal in Kakurasu
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.
A focus for your next 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Your objective
Take a moment to check the current turn. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue.
The steps to play
- 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.
Your inputs
Check the rule below as you play. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Try this example
Check the rule below as you play. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Watch out for this
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Common questions
For this game, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The instructions above use these same rules.
