Easy as ABC
Easy as ABC was created by Japanese puzzle designer Tetsuya Nishio and first published in the November 1990 issue of Puzzler magazine. The puzzle features a minimalist yet refined concept: solvers must place the letters A, B, and C so that each appears exactly once in every row and column, while some cells remain empty. Clues positioned along the grid’s edges indicate the first visible letter when read inward from that direction.
Since its debut, Easy as ABC has become a recognized classic in the world of logic puzzles. It has been featured in numerous national and international competitions, including the World Puzzle Championships and the WPF Puzzle Grand Prix. Over the years, the format has inspired many creative adaptations, such as Transparent Easy as ABC and other thematic variants.
Combining clarity of rules with considerable logical depth, Easy as ABC exemplifies the elegance often associated with Japanese puzzle design. Its enduring popularity attests to the timeless appeal of simple ideas executed with precision and insight.
Since its debut, Easy as ABC has become a recognized classic in the world of logic puzzles. It has been featured in numerous national and international competitions, including the World Puzzle Championships and the WPF Puzzle Grand Prix. Over the years, the format has inspired many creative adaptations, such as Transparent Easy as ABC and other thematic variants.
Combining clarity of rules with considerable logical depth, Easy as ABC exemplifies the elegance often associated with Japanese puzzle design. Its enduring popularity attests to the timeless appeal of simple ideas executed with precision and insight.
Rules
Place all letters from the set (A,B,C) into the grid, so that each letter appears exactly once in each row and column. Some cells will remain empty. Letters outside show the first letters visible in the corresponding direction.
Click to see the answer.