SOLVING A KAKURO PUZZLE

Magnum Opus Kakuro puzzles are similar to crossword puzzles in that they are built on standard crossword grids, but instead of using letters, the digits 1 to 9 are used.

The clue for each word of these puzzles is the number which results from adding the digits of the word. There is also a less common variant of the puzzle in which the clue is formed by multiplying the digits of the word.

By tradition, the clues are displayed within the puzzle, inside either the normal black pattern cells, or in a set of special black cells which run across the top of the puzzle and down the left hand side.

When first displayed, each active cell contains an array of the complete set of nine possible digits. Solving the puzzle consists of determining which of these digits cannot possibly fit into the cell, and removing them by pointing and clicking with the mouse. When only a single digit remains, this becomes the solution for that cell.

Any digit which is typed at the keyboard will be placed into the red focus cell to become part of the solution.

The location of the red focus cell may be shifted by pointing and clicking with the mouse, or by means of the cursor control keys.

Menu Functions
  • File Menu
    • Load a Puzzle
      Use this option to choose the puzzle you want to solve from the pool of KAKURO puzzles currently available on your computer.

    • Quit Solving
      Returns you to either the KAKURO Build screen or the Magnum Opus opening screen.

  • View Menu
    • Display Options
      This leads you to a dialog box in which you can change the colors of various elements within the puzzle, and control the fonts which will be used for the puzzle's text components. You can also decide if printing of the puzzle will be done in black and white or in color.

    • Toggle Assist Mode
      If you prefer to solve these puzzles without the assistance of the candidate symbols, they can be turned on and off using this option.

  • Tasks Menu
    • Undo
      This option will undo in reverse order, each of the operations you have done on the puzzle.

    • Reveal One Number
      If you need a little help to get started, this option will place the correct number into the current focus cell.

    • Reveal Errors
      If you think you may have made errors, this option will show you where they are by highlighting them for a period of 1.5 seconds.

    • Reveal Solution
      The entire solution can be seen by selecting this option.

    • Begin Again
      You can restart the entire solution process at any time by selecting this option.

  • Help Menu
    • Kakuro Help
      Displays the Help screen which you are now reading.

      \