How to play Suguru
Suguru, also called Tectonic, is a number puzzle on a grid of thickly outlined areas. Each area takes the numbers 1 up to the number of squares it has, so an area of three squares holds 1, 2 and 3. Squares with the same number may never touch, not even diagonally. You can always work it out by logic alone.
Suguru rules
- The grid is divided into areas with thick borders.
- An area of one square holds a 1, an area of two holds 1 and 2, an area of three holds 1, 2 and 3, and so on.
- Each number appears only once in its area.
- Two squares with the same number may never touch, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
- Some numbers are given at the start. Everything else can be reasoned out; you never need to guess.
How to solve a Suguru
The last number in an area
Look for areas that are almost full. If an area of four already has 1, 3 and 4, the empty square has to be the 2. This is the quickest win in Suguru, and every number you place this way gives you new information about the squares around it.
Where can a number go?
Pick a number that is still missing from an area and check each empty square in that area. If a neighbouring square, including a diagonal one, already holds that number, the square is blocked. Very often only one square is left, and that is where the number goes.
Single squares are always 1
An area of just one square can only hold a 1. Fill these in first. Because equal numbers may not touch, every 1 you place also rules out a 1 in all eight squares around it, which helps the areas next door.
Playing Suguru in Vellara
In Vellara you tap a square and then a number. Tapping the same number again empties the square. If two equal numbers clash, they turn red by themselves, so you see a mistake straight away. Check tells you how you are doing and Clear starts the puzzle afresh. You can make the grid smaller or larger, or fit it to your screen.
There are five levels. The easiest is a 6×5 grid with small areas and plenty of numbers given; the hardest is a 14×6 grid, the largest, with nothing for free. Every puzzle is built so that it can be reasoned out completely.
A clock runs while you play, but there is no time pressure. Take as long as you like over each step.
Suguru FAQ
Is Suguru the same as Tectonic?
Yes. It is the same puzzle under two names. Suguru is the name you will see most often in English; Tectonic is the name used in some other countries.
What is the difference between Suguru and sudoku?
In sudoku every row, column and box holds 1 to 9. In Suguru the areas have different sizes, so each area holds only 1 up to its own size, and the key rule is that equal numbers may never touch.
Do I ever need to guess in Suguru?
No. Every Suguru in Vellara is built so that it can be solved completely by reasoning.
What does it mean when numbers turn red?
Two equal numbers are touching, which breaks the rules. Change one of them and the red disappears.
Is Suguru free to play in Vellara?
Yes. Vellara is free to download and play, and you don't need an account.
Download Vellara
Vellara is free for iOS and Android, needs no account, works offline and never sends you notifications.
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