Game guide · FJZHENSEN
The Kakurasu playbook
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.
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The objective of a round
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue.
From the start of a round
- 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.
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
One way to understand the rules
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.
Where a round can go wrong
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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
On this page, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
When I start, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.