How to Play Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · LINCANGCHU

How to play Hitori

Read the aim of Hitori, then make your first move. Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Look at what changes after your first action. Check the rule that explains your first action. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.

Play twelve 5×5 puzzles. Any shaded starting cells remain fixed.

A useful comparison

Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board. Refer to the controls when needed.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Keep that objective in view throughout the round. Try to explain the aim in your own words.

Step by step

1. Click a cell to shade, mark or clear it.
2. No unshaded number may repeat in a row or column.
3. Black cells cannot share an edge.
4. Check puzzle verifies duplicates and connectivity.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Use the control method described here for this activity. Return to the rules if the result is unexpected.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Apply the same reasoning to the position in your own round. Read the matching step again.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board.

Common questions