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 from Syndicated Puzzles, the company of Jeff Widderich and 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. Level 3 is open to everyone; supporters can play all four grades each day and open seven weeks of the archive. The page carries display ads beside the grid.

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