Daily logic puzzle: method
Daily logic puzzle of the Futoshiki type (Latin square with inequality signs)
Scorer version: 1
← Back to the testWhat it measures
What it is: a daily puzzle game; the result is the solving time and the number of rule-breaking entries. What it isn't: not a standardised cognitive test; it has no norms and does not measure intelligence or any cognitive ability.
Procedure
One puzzle per UTC day, generated on the server from the date, so everyone gets the same grid; puzzle number n is the start date plus n − 1 days. Generation: a random Latin square; all signs and digits as clues; then clues removed in random order while a step-by-step logic solver can still finish the grid at the day's level (so the solution is unique and no guessing is needed). Up to 40 candidates are made per day until one needs exactly the day's level. Level 1 needs only 'one value fits this cell' and the signs' bounds; level 2 also needs 'this value has only one place in this row or column'. Input: tap a cell and then a number, or use digits, arrow keys and Backspace; an optional notes mode. Broken rules are shown in red while playing. The clock runs only while the page is visible.
Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5 × 5, level 1, 4 extra signs |
| Tuesday | 5 × 5, level 2, 2 extra signs |
| Wednesday | 6 × 6, level 1, 4 extra signs |
| Thursday | 6 × 6, level 2, 3 extra signs |
| Friday | 6 × 6, level 2, 1 extra sign |
| Saturday | 7 × 7, level 1, 4 extra signs |
| Sunday | 7 × 7, level 2, 2 extra signs |
| Candidates per day | up to 40 |
| Puzzles accepted | today's and yesterday's (UTC) |
| Limits | 3,000 entries, 6 h |
| Minimum time counted in 'today' statistics | 15 s |
| Players before a median is shown | 5 |
Scoring
The server replays every entry (cell, value or clear, time). The puzzle is solved when the grid equals the solution; the result time is the visible time of the solving entry (lower is faster). A mistake is an entry that, when made, repeats a number in its row or column or breaks a sign with a filled neighbour; mistakes are counted per row for the share line (0 = green, 1 = yellow, more = orange). 'Today' statistics: how many people solved the puzzle and, from 5 players on, the median of each player's fastest solve; solves under 15 s are kept but left out.
Valid-run rules
Only today's or yesterday's puzzle (UTC) is accepted; given numbers can't be changed; entry times must not go backwards; at most 3,000 entries and 6 hours. A run that never reaches the solution is stored as unsolved.
Differences from the classic task
Not a lab paradigm. Futoshiki is a published puzzle family; these puzzles are generated by our own program. Difficulty levels are defined by the solving techniques needed, not calibrated on players, and the 2–5 minute targets are estimates.
Limitations
Times depend on familiarity with the rules, the device and interruptions; the puzzle changes every day, so times are comparable only within a puzzle. No evidence that solving such puzzles changes general cognition. Not a test of intelligence or health.
Languages and review status
Language-independent stimuli, instructions in all site languages.
Review status by instruction language
Published instruction languages are listed below. Translation method: machine-assisted translation with automated script and spelling checks. Language-specific material is described above; native-speaker review is not documented here.
| Instruction language | Documented review status |
|---|---|
| English | Original English text. |
| Afaan Oromoo | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Afrikaans | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Akan | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Azərbaycan dili | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Bahasa Indonesia | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Bahasa Melayu | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Bosanski | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Català | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Čeština | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Chichewa | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ChiShona | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Dansk | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Deutsch | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Eesti | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Español | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Filipino | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Français | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Galego | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Hausa | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Hmoob | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Hrvatski | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Igbo | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Ikinyarwanda | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| isiXhosa | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| isiZulu | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Italiano | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Kiswahili | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Kurmancî | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Latviešu | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Lietuvių | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Lingála | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Magyar | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Malagasy | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Nederlands | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Norsk bokmål | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Oʻzbekcha | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Polski | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Português | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Română | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Sesotho | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Setswana | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Shqip | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Slovenčina | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Slovenščina | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Soomaali | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Srpski | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Suomi | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Svenska | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Tiếng Việt | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Türkçe | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Türkmençe | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Yorùbá | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Ελληνικά | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Български | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Кыргызча | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Қазақ тілі | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Македонски | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Монгол | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Русский | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Татарча | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Тоҷикӣ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Українська | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ქართული | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| Հայերեն | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| עברית | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ئۇيغۇرچە | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| اردو | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| العربية | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| پښتو | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| پنجابی | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| سنڌي | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| فارسی | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| کوردیی ناوەندی | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ትግርኛ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| አማርኛ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| कोंकणी | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| नेपाली | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| मराठी | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| मैथिली | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| हिन्दी | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| অসমীয়া | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| বাংলা | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ਪੰਜਾਬੀ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ગુજરાતી | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ଓଡ଼ିଆ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| தமிழ் | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| తెలుగు | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ಕನ್ನಡ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| മലയാളം | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| සිංහල | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ไทย | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ລາວ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| မြန်မာ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| ខ្មែរ | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| 한국어 | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| 日本語 | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| 简体中文 | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| 粵語 | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
| 繁體中文 | Automated script and spelling checks; native-speaker review not documented. |
How to cite
Helibrain (2026). Daily logic puzzle, v1. https://helibrain.com/daily-puzzle/methods
Changelog
· Version 1 · Initial methods publication for the current released task.
References
Brooker, H., Wesnes, K. A., Ballard, C., Hampshire, A., Aarsland, D., Khan, Z., Stenton, R., Megalogeni, M., & Corbett, A. (2019). The relationship between the frequency of number-puzzle use and baseline cognitive function in a large online sample of adults aged 50 and over. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 34(7), 932–940.
https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5085association between puzzle use and cognition (not causal)
Simons, D. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S. E., Chabris, C. F., Hambrick, D. Z., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2016). Do "brain-training" programs work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), 103–186.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100616661983review: little transfer from practised tasks
Methods text: CC BY 4.0. Attribute Helibrain and link to this method. Source datasets and task material keep their own licences; this licence covers the methods text.
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