Nonogram

Nonogram

Nonogram example

A Nonogram, also known as a paint-by-numbers puzzle, is a type of logic puzzle that involves coloring in cells on a grid to reveal a hidden picture. The puzzle is solved by using the numbers provided at the side of the grid, which indicate how many cells in each row or column should be filled in.

History

The concept of Nonograms originated in Japan, where they are known as "Griddlers" or "Picross". The puzzles gained popularity in the late 1980s and were introduced to a wider audience through puzzle magazines and newspapers. The name "Nonogram" is derived from the name of a Japanese puzzle creator, Non Ishida, who contributed to the development and popularization of these puzzles.

Rules and Gameplay

Animation of solving a Nonogram

The objective of a Nonogram is to fill in the correct cells in a grid based on the numerical clues provided. Each number on the side of the grid represents a contiguous block of filled-in cells. For example, a clue of "4 1 3" means there is a block of four filled cells, followed by at least one empty cell, a single filled cell, another empty cell, and finally a block of three filled cells.

Solving Techniques

Solving a Nonogram requires logical deduction and sometimes trial and error. Common techniques include:

• Single Line Completion: Filling in a line completely when the sum of the numbers and the required spaces equals the length of the line.
• Overlap: Determining which cells must be filled by considering the overlap of possible positions for a block.
• Cross-Referencing: Using information from completed rows or columns to deduce the placement of blocks in intersecting lines.

Examples of Solving

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Variations

Nonograms come in various sizes and levels of difficulty. Some variations include:

• Color Nonograms: These puzzles use multiple colors, with each number indicating a block of a specific color.
• Mega Nonograms: Larger grids that may require more complex strategies and longer solving times.
• Irregular Nonograms: Grids that are not rectangular, adding an additional layer of complexity.

Related Pages

• Logic puzzle
• Sudoku
• Kakuro
• Crossword