Daily Asymmetrical Str8ts

About Daily Asymmetrical Str8ts

Daily Asymmetrical Str8ts sits beside the Daily Str8ts and the Daily Mini Str8ts in the Play Here menu of str8ts.com, the home of the Str8ts number puzzle by Andrew Stuart. As its name says, its grids drop the symmetrical pattern of black cells found in most Str8ts, so compartments come in less regular shapes.

The rules are the usual ones on a 9x9 board. You fill the white cells with 1 to 9 so that no number repeats in a row or column, and every unbroken run of white cells, a compartment, holds a straight of consecutive numbers in any order. Numbers printed in black cells rule out that number for the rest of the row and column.

Each day has a numbered grid with a star difficulty rating, played on the page with a number pad, notes and a timer, or printed. A link shows yesterday's solution, and Send to Solver gives a hint when you are stuck. Supporters can play all four grades each day and open seven weeks of the archive.

It suits Str8ts regulars who want a second daily grid that plays differently from the standard one.

How to play Daily Asymmetrical Str8ts

1. Open the day's grid; supporters can choose one of four levels.
2. Enter numbers 1 to 9 in the white cells so none repeats in a row or column.
3. Make each compartment of white cells a straight of consecutive numbers, in any order.
4. Use numbers in black cells to rule out options in their row and column.
5. Check yesterday's solution or send the grid to the solver if you get stuck.

Tips

• Look at the longest compartments first: a run of eight or nine cells leaves very few possible straights.
• Irregular compartments often create single-cell runs; those cells can take any number not ruled out in their row and column.
• Use pencil marks for the range each compartment can cover before placing numbers.

Questions