nonogrammen

Nonogrammen, also known as Griddlers, Picross, or Hanjie, are picture logic puzzles that involve filling in cells in a grid based on numbers provided at the side and top of the grid. These numbers indicate how many consecutive cells must be filled in each row or column, with at least one empty cell separating consecutive filled blocks. The goal is to reveal a hidden pixel art image.

The rules are straightforward. Numbers above a column tell you how many filled cells are in that column, from top to bottom. Numbers to the left of a row tell you how many filled cells are in that row, from left to right. If a row or column has multiple numbers, it means there are multiple blocks of filled cells, and these blocks must be separated by at least one empty cell. The order of the numbers is important; for example, a row with numbers '2 3' means there's a block of two filled cells, then at least one empty cell, followed by a block of three filled cells.

Solving nonogrammen often involves a process of deduction. Players can mark cells that are definitely filled, definitely empty, or uncertain. By combining information from both rows and columns, clues can be deduced. For instance, if a row is 10 cells wide and has the number '10', the entire row must be filled. If a row has the number '1', and the first cell is filled, then all subsequent cells in that row must be empty until at least one empty cell separates the filled cell from any potential subsequent block.

Nonogrammen come in various sizes, from small 5x5 grids to much larger and more complex puzzles. The difficulty can vary based on the size and the complexity of the numerical clues provided. These puzzles are popular in newspapers, puzzle books, and as digital games on various platforms.