Snappywords - Puzzles & Word Games - Hitori Puzzle

Hitori is a logic puzzle played on a numbered grid. The goal is to shade certain cells so that each number appears only once unshaded in every row and column. Shaded cells cannot touch horizontally or vertically, and all unshaded cells must form one connected group.

The challenge lies in meeting all these conditions simultaneously without boxing yourself into a corner. Hitori improves logical thinking, pattern recognition, and strategic planning.

5 Tips for Successful Hitori Solving

1. Start with obvious duplicates

If a number appears multiple times directly next to each other in a row or column, at least one of them must be shaded.

2. Follow the connectivity rule

Ensure that all unshaded cells remain connected. Isolated “islands” of white cells are not allowed.

3. Avoid adjacent shaded cells

Since shaded cells can’t touch, you can often deduce that certain neighboring cells must remain unshaded.

4. Work step by step

Focus first on small, clearly solvable areas and expand your solution from there.

5. Check regularly

After each move, verify that all three Hitori rules are still being followed to avoid costly backtracking.

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Fill the grid with numbers – each appearing once per row and column – while following all greater/less-than clues between adjacent cells.

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Place a diagonal in each cell following number clues, connect everything into one network, and avoid creating any closed loops.

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In Hashi, you connect numbered islands with bridges to form a single network - no crossings allowed, with the correct number and a maximum of two bridges per connection.

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