Web Paint-by-Number Forum
Comments on Puzzle #34722: Impossible mode (severe challenge)
By darren jackson (hi)

peek at solution       solve puzzle
  quality:   difficulty:   solutions: multiple    solvability: some guessing?  

Puzzle Description Suppressed:Click below to view spoilers

#1: CB Paul (cbpaul) on Dec 2, 2020 [HINT]

Comment Suppressed:Click below to view hints
#2: Kristen Vognild (kristen) on Dec 2, 2020 [HINT] [SPOILER]
Comment Suppressed:Click below to view hints and spoilers
#3: Web Paint-By-Number Robot (webpbn) on Dec 2, 2020
Found to require some guessing by kristen.
#4: CB Paul (cbpaul) on Dec 2, 2020 [HINT]
Comment Suppressed:Click below to view hints
#5: derby (Derby) on Dec 2, 2020
Agree. It is easy to solve. It is easy to spot the pattern and solve it. I did have to guess in top left corner, but after three tries, I got it. I certainly wouldn’t rate it difficult.
#6: Web Paint-By-Number Robot (webpbn) on Dec 3, 2020
Found to have multiple solutions by lollipop.
#7: Lollipop (lollipop) on Dec 3, 2020
As Kristen noted at #2, working from the bottom right diagonally upward toward the top left, there begin to be multiple solutions starting with the topmost black/red/green/blue combo and continuing upward. It's not solvable without guessing.

Darren, please change your title. It's not your fault for not knowing, but it's hurtful for those of us who remember our much-loved Jan. It's Jan's partner Valerie who has continued to run the site, for which we are so grateful.
#8: Valerie Mates (valerie) on Dec 3, 2020
Lollipop - I am curious how you set the puzzle to have multiple solutions in #6. I don't think that should have been possible?

Me personally, the title of this puzzle doesn't bother me. But if it bothers other people, and from your comment it sounds like it does, then I'd be glad to see it changed.

Thanks for the kind words. I too am glad that this site is still here!
#9: David Bouldin (dbouldin) on Dec 4, 2020
Glad the title didn't bother you Valerie. I was wondering how others would take it. For me, I enjoy being reminded of Jan. Bittersweet.
#10: Valerie Mates (valerie) on Dec 4, 2020
David - I too am glad to be reminded of Jan.

In a few weeks it will be six years since he died. I know he would be pleased that people are still enjoying WebPBN.
#11: Lollipop (lollipop) on Dec 5, 2020
I'm always happy to be reminded of Jan, who remains with us in spirit. It was the title's dare, the gotcha, that hit me.

Valerie, I have no idea how I came to set the puzzle to have multiple solutions (which it does, and not just in the top nine squares). The choice came up after I solved it so I selected it. I was as surprised as you were when the robot posted it.
#12: Joe (infrapinklizzard) on Aug 19, 2021
When there is a puzzle that the automatic solver can't get a handle on, it leaves both determinations open. If someone finds a correct solution that is not the intended solution, the robot then marks the puzzle as multiple solutions, and credits the person who found the solution.
#13: Valerie Mates (valerie) on Aug 19, 2021
Thanks Joe!

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