Shinro Explained

is a logic-based puzzle that has similarities to Sudoku and Minesweeper. The objective is to locate 12 hidden 'Holes' on an 8×8 grid. The board contains a variable number of arrows, each of which points to at least one Hole. A count of the number of Holes is given for each Row and Column.

Originally appearing in Japanese puzzle magazines, Shinro was popularized by its appearance in Southwest Airline's Spirit Magazine.^[1] It has since spawned web-based and iPhone versions.

Name

New York-based puzzle-writing company Puzzability has been credited with coining the name Shinro in 2007.^[2] The name translates to "compass bearing", referring to the arrows that point towards the Holes.^[3]

Availability

Websites:

• Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, Fun and Games section Downloadable PDF with four puzzles
• Shinropuzzles website Printable puzzles with solutions
• Sternenhimmel (Babelfish translation) German variation where each arrow points to only one Hole
• Evolutionary Algorithm for Generation of Entertaining Shinro Logic Puzzles by David Oranchak
• Online Shinro games

iPhone:

• Shinro Mines
• Jabeh with video tutorial
• Sudoku Shinro

Android:

• Shinro: Minefield

See also

• Logic puzzle

Notes

1. http://www.spiritmag.com/fun/index.php Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, Fun and Games section
2. http://shinropuzzles.web.officelive.com Shinropuzzles website
3. https://translate.google.com/translate_t?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&text=しんろ&file=&sl=ja&tl=en Google Translate translation

External links

• Shinro tutorial
• Downloadable puzzles, Shinro tutorial, and a book