Questions tagged [reverse-puzzling]

This tag is for questions where the answerer must identify a puzzle type based on deliberately limited information about its nature, such as notes made in the course of solving it. For questions where the asker genuinely needs to know the puzzle type, use the [puzzle-identification] tag instead.

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15 votes
1 answer
469 views

Seven similar 7x7 (pen-and-paper) logic puzzles

Oh no! I've just finished drafting some 7x7 logic puzzles, but I accidentally dropped all of them on the floor, and now they're all mixed up! To make matters worse, I haven't gotten around to ...
Kusane Hexaku's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
488 views

What's the puzzle to this answer?

This is the answer: wgc wc g wc g w gc wg c g wc g wc wgc But what is the puzzle? This requires some knowledge, but I'm pretty sure that most people on this site ...
Haspamelodica's user avatar
27 votes
1 answer
2k views

This new puzzle type needs a name {7}

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #5: On-and-onograms - and also extends the 'This new puzzle type needs a name' series... I believe I have invented a new type of puzzle... What is ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
11 votes
1 answer
513 views

This new puzzle type needs a name {OVERLAPPED EDITION}

This is my contribution to the 'This new puzzle type needs a name' series, started by @Stiv. I believe I have invented a new type of puzzle... What is its name? Penpa+ link A little advice.. Even ...
ACB's user avatar
  • 5,674
21 votes
1 answer
3k views

Another pseudo-IQ question

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #2: IQ Puzzle Parody People keep asking me if there's anything between me and my good friend Ingrid Deduction... Well, it's... complicated... We go ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
4 votes
2 answers
262 views

The case of a piece that could go missing

What piece of hardware was after all unnecessary? And how? These diagrams, though somewhat schematic, are meant to directly represent everything pertinent. Nothing has been omitted or added to ...
humn's user avatar
  • 21.8k
5 votes
1 answer
220 views

Reverse Puzzling 8 - Another Chess One with an Allumwandlung

[Continued thematically from here] George grinned at the sight of the chess board. "What have we here?" "This was the first two-mover to show Allumwandlung using only this many pieces,&...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
6 votes
1 answer
286 views

U and Me (this is not a dating puzzle)

U and me together! Me after: double! U are three times greater than me! U too will be removed! What is the puzzle that is similar to the sentences given above? Hint 1:
IsaacRoan Sison's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
156 views

Copy that solution

This copy machine program prints the solution to a well-known puzzle.  Explanation of the syntax will follow. What solution will be printed for which well-known puzzle?  EXECUTION CODE .--> ...
humn's user avatar
  • 21.8k
6 votes
2 answers
8k views

Math puzzle: I know the answer, what is the equation? Use all digits 1-9

A few years ago, my child brought a puzzle home from their 6th-grade math teacher. The solution was to use all the numbers $1−9$ only once and make the equation true. Using a spreadsheet, I was able ...
user2584265's user avatar
19 votes
1 answer
750 views

Spot that puzzle

This diagram solves an occasionally seen member of a well-known family of optimization puzzles.  Spots ● generalize a component that is represented variously in different statements of these puzzles.  ...
humn's user avatar
  • 21.8k
12 votes
1 answer
456 views

What are the rules to my Sudoku?

I made a Sudoku variant puzzle pictured here: Your puzzle is to figure out what the rules for the puzzle I created are. The puzzle has a single unique solution so if your rule-set allows more than ...
Wheat Wizard's user avatar
  • 1,293
2 votes
1 answer
228 views

Reverse Puzzling 7: I FED the CIRcus some DAM GAS

[Continued thematically from here (maybe - in all the excitement, I kinda lost count of it myself)] I handed George the very famous puzzle and asked him if he knew how to solve it. "Oh, yes, of ...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
11 votes
1 answer
777 views

The unsolvable cryptic clue

My friend was reading a newspaper and I caught a glimpse of a rather mystifying cryptic clue on one of the pages. I've been unable to solve it ever since and it's driving me crazy! Here's my "...
Jafe's user avatar
  • 76.2k
-1 votes
1 answer
74 views

Rows has more than Columns

Friend: Hey! want to see what I'm solving? Me: Yeah sure. Friend: showing an image Me: Oh, come on, why do I wanna do reverse puzzling again!? Friend: Oh, just put it on a Q and A website then. This ...
IsaacRoan Sison's user avatar
17 votes
1 answer
568 views

Chain Puzzle: Tabletop Games #08 - Targui, or not Targui

This is the eighth Chain Puzzle in the Tabletop Games series, in which all puzzles are themed around board games, card games, tile games, and the like. The answer to this puzzle is a thematic word or ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
31 votes
1 answer
645 views

Re-Venn-ge of the Connecting Wall

An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #42: Wordless Connecting Walls Today I created a connect-wall puzzle (for which a solver would need to partition 16 items into 4 connected groups of 4, and ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
1 vote
0 answers
443 views

Not a sudoku, but still fun?

Context: I was trying to solve some of the puzzles on this site, when it occurred to me to make a puzzle variant myself. I immediately could construct one with my additional rule. Making an ...
Retudin's user avatar
  • 8,010
43 votes
1 answer
2k views

This new puzzle type needs a name {EXTREME EDITION}

A companion puzzle to the 'This new puzzle type needs a name' series, and inspired in part by @JeremyDover's answer to a recent question. Usually, puzzles in this series comprise a mash-up of two ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
12 votes
2 answers
545 views

What was Matt's matchstick puzzle?

Something rather funny happened at our Puzzlers' meet the other day. "Oh hey buddy, can you hand me exactly 18 matchsticks? I wanna show you this new matchstick puzzle I came up with." Matt ...
Ankoganit's user avatar
  • 18.6k
7 votes
1 answer
407 views

Reverse puzzling 6

(Continuing thematically from here and here) "Well, George, I've got a tricky one for you today. Lots of people struggle to get into it. They think it's about real human behavior but it's set up for ...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
11 votes
1 answer
564 views

Solution without words

Here comes a series of snapshots in the life of a worksheet that might come into play when solving a variation of a fairly well-known numerical logic puzzle. ­ Parameters of the progenitor puzzle have ...
humn's user avatar
  • 21.8k
7 votes
1 answer
184 views

A Grid with some Green Cells

So a friend wanted me to try out the reverse-puzzling riddle he created. It consisted of a 4x4 grid with a digit in each cell and a single closed loop drawn along the edges of its cells. Also some of ...
Zilvarro's user avatar
  • 683
25 votes
1 answer
2k views

This new puzzle type needs a name {6}

I believe I have invented** a new type of puzzle... What is its name? Begin by solving the Fillomino puzzle: Rules of Fillomino (adapted from Nikoli) Fill in all empty cells with numbers under the ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
18 votes
2 answers
895 views

This new puzzle type needs a name {5}

I believe I have invented a new type of puzzle... What is its name? Colour-blind-friendly version available here. Begin by solving the 9x9 sudoku; each of the 9 symbols ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

This new puzzle type needs a name {4}

I believe I have invented a new type of puzzle... What is its name? Begin by solving the 16x16 sudoku; each of the digits 1-16 must appear exactly once in each row, column and thick-bordered 4x4 ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
28 votes
1 answer
2k views

This new puzzle type needs a name {3}

I believe I have invented** a new type of puzzle... What is its name? ** Well, 'adapted' an existing one, really... Colour-blind-friendly version available here. Those without colour-blindness ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
26 votes
4 answers
2k views

Another new puzzle type needs a name

For an example of how this type of puzzle works, see here... I believe I have invented another new type of puzzle... What is its name? Colour-blind-friendly version available here. Begin by ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
105 votes
2 answers
7k views

This new puzzle type needs a name

I believe I have invented a new type of puzzle... What is its name? Colour-blind-friendly version available here. Begin by solving the 16x16 sudoku; each of the digits 1-16 must appear exactly ...
Stiv's user avatar
  • 134k
7 votes
1 answer
769 views

My friend is being a hypocrite

So I was having an argument with a friend and I know I'm right, but she just won't admit it and it's getting really irritating. She thinks this thing goes one way when it clearly actually goes down! ...
Veedrac's user avatar
  • 1,575
25 votes
2 answers
3k views

Reversed Sudoku

Sudoku from Sudoku Solutions. Here's a Sudoku grid with all the obvious candidates removed. Your task is to re-supply the givens.
JMP's user avatar
  • 35.6k
14 votes
6 answers
478 views

Useful Aide memoire

“Well, that's all great but how do you remember it?” George asked. “Easy,” I replied pointing at a nearby board. “Just remember these words: Clue, Fox, Rain, Basket, New, Haze and Quiz, Jades, Moved, ...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
10 votes
2 answers
481 views

Reverse Puzzling - Curious Chess

George rubbed his hands together. "What have you got for me today?" he asked. I showed him the pieces set up on the chess board and told him the stipulation. "That's a very strange one." He said. "...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
15 votes
1 answer
451 views

Reverse Puzzling 5

(Continued thematically from here) "George, you know this puzzle?" I asked. "Oh yes, of course. And I much prefer this version to the French one." "Yes, it's much better." I agreed. "So you can ...
Dr Xorile's user avatar
  • 22.8k
6 votes
2 answers
530 views

I have a puzzle and a solution... it's the method I'm after

The cipher message is: J B A Z R X K Z N T W K O Y E Z The answer is: T O N G L A N D B R I D G E How did I (or more accurately my father) arrive at the answer?
Nixy's user avatar
  • 61
16 votes
2 answers
906 views

Procedurally generated riddles

Last morning, my AI friend wrote me a letter. hello thomas. how are you? i am good. you said you like riddles so I made some riddles for you. please enjoy. After some time, though I enjoyed the ...
Thomas Blue's user avatar
  • 6,802
84 votes
2 answers
5k views

My God, it's full of stars!

An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #32: Grid Deduction Hybrids My dear friend, unknown to us, may have relocated again. He sent me imagery and constellation maps indicating that a distant red ...
paramesis's user avatar
  • 4,599
45 votes
2 answers
2k views

I am an island (ysaujdiolkiun)

An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #32: Grid Deduction Hybrids I received an envelope containing two drawings and no return address. I would recognize that handwriting anywhere - my dear friend ...
paramesis's user avatar
  • 4,599
52 votes
4 answers
2k views

Desert Irrigation Project

An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #32: Grid Deduction Hybrids My dear friend researches and designs canal irrigation systems in a remote desert. He's been missing for two weeks. Members of ...
paramesis's user avatar
  • 4,599
15 votes
2 answers
830 views

Trapezoids Compound Hidden Puzzle

UPDATE To refute Sconibulus's answer, I drafted a second puzzle with identical rules. 7 months ago, I released a collection of variations of an original puzzle called Trapezoids, but never mentioned ...
paramesis's user avatar
  • 4,599
7 votes
3 answers
757 views

Ambiguous Grids

After six to eight weeks of waiting, your Shmikoli™ Ambiguous Grid Deduction Puzzle Set has finally arrived! You tear into the box only to discover that the instructions are missing. You shouldn't ...
DyingIsFun's user avatar
  • 9,166
19 votes
2 answers
1k views

Three for the price of one

While browsing through your local puzzle store, you see something you can't resist: a box which promises two grid deduction puzzles for the price of one! The vendor explains that the box contains a ...
DyingIsFun's user avatar
  • 9,166
6 votes
1 answer
303 views

So why do they keep asking?

Settle down.   We are all understandably upset — once again — but this meeting is called to order.          &...
humn's user avatar
  • 21.8k
5 votes
2 answers
583 views

The trunk of trivial trials

This puzzle is a knockoff of humn's The case of the world's easiest puzzles. (humn has encouraged spinoffs in a comment.) Hey be careful with that case! Even the slightest nudge, jostle, or jog, and ...
DyingIsFun's user avatar
  • 9,166
11 votes
5 answers
943 views

My roommate is back add it!

My roommate's computer desk has a paper on it with these 3 weird grids and drawings. I know that he is trying to learn to write computer code and he likes making old video games as a way to learn. I'...
Neal Davis's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
1k views

A line in Connect Four

When I was young, I was playing with a friend. Of course, the topic soon turned to mathematics (as it always does), and we got into an argument over something. We went on for some time, then he got ...
boboquack's user avatar
  • 21.9k
11 votes
3 answers
745 views

Steganographic Maze of Ciphers, Riddles and Rhyme!

Go with the flow!!! INSTRUCTIONS Done with my time on this planet, I left you with my creation. I'm hidden in two ways below, one puzzled, while the other is a direct mention. I know you will ...
Techidiot's user avatar
  • 18.9k
6 votes
2 answers
532 views

Cheating your Boss is not easy

I stole the thought reading device from Ankoganit. I have already understood how to fit it into people. And now, I have fitted it in the neck of my Boss. Now, I get to know what is going in his silly ...
Sid's user avatar
  • 15.1k
29 votes
1 answer
2k views

Reverse puzzling. What game is this?

I saw my friend working on making a computer game version of an old game (not traditionally a computer game) and his notepad has these strange series of numbers. What game is he working on? ...
Neal Davis's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
247 views

Jim is trying to prove he has solved the puzzle

This is an entry for the 16th Fortnightly Challenge. Jim : Bob, I have solved the puzzle !! Bob : I do not believe you, show me ! Jim : No, you have to solve it yourself. After some discussion ...
Jamal Senjaya's user avatar