Sequences Sudoku (Fun With Sudoku #55)

Welcome to a puzzle that adds a fascinating pattern-based element to your Sudoku solving! This Sequences Sudoku is a variant I created for practice for Sudoku Cup 2, and it's now being republished as the 55th puzzle in our Fun With Sudoku Series. The puzzle uses a classic 9x9 grid, but with an additional layer of logic that governs the digits along marked gray lines. The core idea is that the digits on these lines must follow a specific mathematical pattern, which creates a unique and engaging challenge that requires careful planning and deduction.

This puzzle is similar to Snake Sudoku, which appeared in the World Sudoku Championship 2009, but with a key difference that makes it more flexible and interesting. Instead of requiring a specific difference between consecutive numbers, this variant allows for any consistent difference along the line. This means you'll need to think about the relationships between digits in a new way, considering how they can form a balanced sequence. It's perfect for a focused session where you can explore the intricate interplay between the sequence rule and the classic Sudoku logic.

Rules of the Sequences Sudoku Puzzle

Classic Sudoku Rules apply. Additionally, the digits along the gray lines are arithmetic sequences. It means that the difference between the two following digits along the line is the same, and the digits are not repeated there.

Example: 1-3-5 or 9-8-7-6