Masyu Puzzles...

I thought it was about time for a post on Masyu, the fun loop-making puzzle that is not very often seen in publications.

The puzzle contains a grid that has some white counters and some black counters. The aim is to make a single loop that does not cross itself. It doesn't have to visit every square of the puzzle grid, unlike with some other loop making puzzles.

The rules are quite simple and once you understand them it gives access to this fun and absorbing puzzle that can be very difficult but also has a very nice solving logic to it.

When hitting a white counter, you must go straight through the square containing the white counter but then make a turn of 90 degrees in either the cell after the counter, the cell before the counter, or possibly, both.

It would be easier to describe with an image but I can't add one here, but hopefully it is simple enough to visualise.

With the black counters, you must turn 90 degrees in the square that contains the counter, but then you must carry on straight for at least one square on both the exit squares from the counter.