The Most Incredible Sudoku Rules EVER

The speaker begins by sharing his delicate state after overindulging at a dinner party the previous night. He expresses trepidation about attempting KNT's infamous Pathfinder puzzle, known for its extreme difficulty. Despite not winning a recent vote, the puzzle received high praise from top solvers. The speaker has a backup puzzle in case he fails, but is determined to try Pathfinder first. He highlights KNT's impressive track record of creating highly rated and challenging puzzles.

The speaker introduces the rules of the Pathfinder puzzle. The grid must be divided into regions of nine orthogonally connected cells, with each row, column, and region containing the digits 1-9. The top-left cell of each region, marked by circled numbers, determines the region number. An orthogonally connected path must visit each region once, in ascending order. Within each region, digits must increase along the path. The puzzle includes clues with arrows indicating the number of path cells in specified directions. The speaker finds the rules baffling and is unsure how to approach the puzzle.

The speaker begins to solve the puzzle but struggles with initial placements. He examines various clues and possibilities, trying to understand the constraints and how to connect the regions. He encounters difficulty in determining which cells belong to which regions and how to form a valid path. The complexity of the rules and the intricate logic required to solve the puzzle make it a daunting task. Despite the challenges, he continues to explore different configurations and deductions.

The speaker tests various hypotheses, trying different configurations for the regions and paths. He examines the potential placements of path cells and the resulting implications. He faces several dead ends, realizing that certain configurations lead to contradictions. The intricate nature of the puzzle forces him to constantly re-evaluate his approach and consider alternative possibilities. The speaker expresses frustration but remains determined to solve the puzzle.

The speaker continues to analyze the constraints of the puzzle, focusing on specific cells and their potential placements. He uses the given clues and the rules of the puzzle to make deductions about which cells can be part of the path and how the regions are connected. The process involves careful consideration of the relationships between cells and the overall structure of the grid. The speaker slowly makes progress by eliminating impossible configurations and narrowing down the possibilities.

The speaker discovers key insights that help him make further progress in the puzzle. He identifies specific cells that must belong to certain regions and determines their positions on the path. These insights allow him to fill in more cells and establish connections between regions. The speaker continues to navigate the complexity of the puzzle, using logical reasoning to validate his deductions. The progress is slow but steady, with each new insight bringing him closer to the solution.

The speaker pieces together more regions and their paths, gradually completing sections of the puzzle. He uses the given clues and the rules to verify his placements and ensure that the path follows the correct sequence. The process involves constant adjustments and checks to maintain the consistency of the solution. The speaker encounters fewer contradictions as he refines his approach and gains a deeper understanding of the puzzle's structure.

The speaker works on connecting the final regions and completing the path. He carefully analyzes the remaining cells and their potential placements, ensuring that all regions are visited in the correct order. The speaker deals with the final challenges and intricacies of the puzzle, making the necessary adjustments to achieve a valid solution. The process requires meticulous attention to detail and thorough verification of each step.

The speaker successfully completes the Pathfinder puzzle, achieving a valid solution. He reflects on the complexity and difficulty of the puzzle, praising its intricate design and the satisfaction of solving it. The process took significant time and effort, but the speaker expresses pride and accomplishment in overcoming the challenge. He appreciates the ingenuity of the puzzle's creator and the unique experience of solving such a difficult puzzle.

The speaker celebrates the completion of the puzzle, sharing his relief and satisfaction. He acknowledges the extraordinary effort required to solve it and the enjoyment derived from the challenge. The speaker thanks his viewers for their patience and support, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share the experience. He concludes with a sense of fulfillment and appreciation for the puzzle-solving journey.