Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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*** TODAY'S PUZZLE ***
A rarity on the channel today: Simon returns from his holidays to find a mountain of recommended puzzles to try and the first one up is by the same author as yesterday, Marty Sears! Simon needs no persuasion to do another of Marty's sudokus and this one is extraordinary. How can only these five cell markings completely specify a unique grid...? Let's see...

Play the puzzle at the links below:

https://sudokupad.app/dk7jgt7xov

Rules:
Normal sudoku rules apply. Draw a loop, one-cell wide, that moves orthogonally between cells. The loop cannot touch itself, even diagonally: ie If two loop cells are side-by-side, they must be directly connected by the loop; and, if a 2×2 area contains two diagonal loop cells, they must be connected by a third loop cell in that same 2x2. A green circle is on the loop, and its digit indicates the number of cells in its box that are on the loop. A red square is NOT on the loop, and its digit indicates the number of cells in its box that are NOT on the loop. For any two neighbouring cells along the loop, dividing one by the other gives an exact integer (one is a multiple of the other.)

▶ BLUE PRINCE: THE FINALE? ◀

You can watch our last Blue Prince stream here:
youtube.com/live/vzXeRdtV9sQ

▶ ZETAMATH'S WORM: OUR BRAND NEW APP ◀
We've released a brand new collection of sudoku puzzles by Blobz. The worm features 12 connected sudokus and is a great way to enjoy more creations from this popular constructor:

Steam:
store.steampowered.com/app/4756830/Cracking_the_Cryptic__The_Sudoku_Worm_of_Zetamath
AppStore
apps.apple.com/us/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934
Android:
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.StudioGoya.CrackingTheCryptic

All our apps can be found at our website with links to all outlets:
crackingthecryptic.com/apps

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cracking-the-cryptric-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp/collections/rat-run

▶ SIMON & MARK ATTEMPT BLUE PRINCE: THE SUDOKU ◀
This new epic (and epically long) video is now on Patreon (as well as our monthly sudoku hunt competition by Sandra & Nala). Check it all out here:

patreon.com/crackingthecryptic

▶ SVEN’S SUDOKU PAD ◀
Input classic sudoku puzzles into our software. With 12 free puzzles:
iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/svens-sudokupad/id1570622073
Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1706870/Svens_SudokuPad
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.svencodes.sudokupad
Amazon: Search for “SudokuPad”

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▶Credits◀
Music: Lucy Audrin (Piano): Mozart's Sonata no 16; and Mark’s outro music by Riffclown.
SOFTWARE: Thanks to Sam Cappleman-Lynes and Sven Neumann
Logo: Melvyn Mainini
Opening Credits: Burak Mescioğlu

▶ Contents Of This Video ◀

0:00 Intro music and puzzle introduction
2:15 Crossword video
2:40 700,000 Subscribers
4:16 Patreon Competition
5:12 Happy Birthdays
8:09 Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
7:53 Rules
15:06 Start of Solve: Let's Get Cracking

#sudoku #puzzle #maths