Game guide · ARTSTAREDU
How to play Kakurasu
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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 beyond the first move
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Your goal
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Follow these playing steps
- 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.
Getting comfortable with the controls
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A closer look at one example
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Check this before moving on
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares.
Questions that come up during play
During a round, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, 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.
On this page, 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.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
What does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. No download or player account is required.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The controls work with mouse or touch.