Solving Belarus Nonograms: Strategies For Success

Nonograms, also known as Hanjie, Paint by Numbers, Picross, Griddlers, and Pic-a-Pix, are logic puzzles that involve filling in a grid to reveal a hidden picture. Solving nonograms can be challenging, but with the right techniques and practice, it can become easier. The basic concept is to determine which cells will be filled in and which will be left blank based on the numbers provided at the edges of the grid. The numbers indicate the length of the runs of filled-in squares in each row and column. While it may seem daunting at first, there are several strategies and tips that can help players improve their skills and solve nonograms more effectively.

Identify the rules

Nonograms, also known as Hanjie, Paint by Numbers, Picross, Griddlers, and Pic-a-Pix, are picture logic puzzles in which cells in a grid must be coloured or left blank according to numbers at the edges of the grid to reveal a hidden picture. Belarus Nonograms are a type of nonogram that is composed of a small number of cells or pixels, forming a grid that can range from 5x5 to 40x40. The cells are mixed up, and the number in each cell indicates how far it has been removed from its original location.

To solve a nonogram, you must determine which cells will be filled in and which will be left blank. Solvers often mark cells they are certain are spaces with a dot or a cross. Cells that can be determined by logic should be filled in. It is important to be careful when guessing as a single error can spread and ruin the solution. The hidden picture may help to locate and eliminate errors, but it may also mislead.

Many nonograms can be solved by reasoning on a single row or column at a time and then repeating this process until the puzzle is complete. More challenging nonograms may require "what if" reasoning that includes multiple rows or columns. This involves searching for contradictions, for example, when a cell cannot be filled in because another cell would produce an error, it must be left blank.

At the beginning of a nonogram, a simple method can be used to determine as many filled cells as possible. This method uses conjunctions of possible places for each block of filled cells. For example, in a row of ten cells with only one clue of 8, the block of 8 cells could spread from the right border, leaving two spaces on the left; the left border, leaving two spaces on the right; or somewhere in between. As a result, the block must spread through the six centermost cells in the row.

Another technique used in solving nonograms is "spreading". This technique is used when there is a filled cell near the border. The clue will then spread through that cell and will be forced outward from the border. For example, in a row of ten cells with a filled cell in the third position and a clue of 5, the clue of 5 will always span from the third to the fifth cell. Therefore, the third, fourth, and fifth cells can be filled in.

The "overlapping" technique can also be used to solve nonograms. If the sum of clues and spaces in between clues in a line, plus the largest number, is greater than the line, then this technique can be applied. For example, if there is a clue of 8, there are only three positions this 8 can be placed in. Where they overlap, there will be a filled cell.

Understand the grid

Understanding the grid is the first step to solving a Belarus nonogram. A Belarus nonogram is a multicolour or black-and-white image puzzle, composed of a small number of cells or pixels, arranged in a grid. The grid size can vary, ranging from 5x5 to 40x40. Each cell contains a number, which indicates how far it has been removed from its original position. The horizontal and vertical distances are added together to give the total distance.

The cells in the grid can be swapped by clicking on one cell and then the other. If you cannot locate the original position of a cell, it will remain highlighted after the swap, and you can move it to another place. Clicking the cell again will remove the highlighting. To make the solving process easier, previously selected options will remain highlighted in orange, and a new option for the current solution will be added. You can identify the true location of a cell by locating where these options cross, which will be marked in pink.

The numbers on the side of the grid, also known as number bars, represent the number of squares that need to be filled in that line. For example, a clue of "4 8 3" would mean there are sets of four, eight, and three filled squares, in that order, with at least one blank square between each set. These squares can be coloured or left blank, depending on the instructions.

In a black-and-white nonogram, the squares are either coloured black or marked as empty. A black square indicates a known black cell, while a dot or a cross is used to mark a known white cell. A "box" refers to a square that is coloured black, and a "cross" is a square that remains uncoloured. A "square" or a "cell" refers to an empty space on the grid that has not been marked yet.

By understanding the grid layout and the basic terminology, you can start applying various techniques to solve the Belarus nonogram puzzle.

Learn the terminology

A “square” or "cell" is an empty space on the grid that hasn't been marked yet. A "box" is a square that has been coloured in black. A “cross” is a square that is definitely not coloured in.

The numbers on the side of the grid are called "later clues" or "number bars". They represent how many squares you need to colour in that line. For example, a clue of "4 8 3" would mean there are sets of four, eight, and three filled squares, in that order, with at least one blank square between successive sets.

A “solid line” is a row where every cell is coloured in. A “simple box” is when there is no other option but to put boxes in certain squares. A “simple cross” is when boxes cannot possibly be put in certain squares.

The “overlapping” technique is used when the sum of the clues and spaces in between the clues in a line, plus the largest number, is greater than the line. This means that any clues in this line that are larger than the difference between the line length and the sum are overlapping. Where they overlap, there is a box.

The “spreading” technique is used when there is a box near the border or a cross. The box can then be “spread” away from the border or cross, depending on how big the clue is.

The “out of range” tactic is used to identify cells that are too far away from a block to be filled in. These cells are then marked as crosses.

Master the basic techniques

Belarus nonograms are picture logic puzzles that are made up of a grid of cells or pixels. The aim is to fill in the correct cells to reveal a hidden picture. The puzzles are often black and white, but they can also be multicoloured. The number in each cell indicates how far it has been removed from its original location.

To solve a Belarus nonogram, you need to determine which cells will be filled in and which will be left blank. You can use a dot or a cross to mark cells that you are certain are spaces.

• Simple boxes and crosses: Look for any solid lines. A 0 means there are no black cells in that row, so you can mark every cell in the row with a dot. A high number, such as a 9 or 10, means that every cell in the row will be filled in. You can also look for lines that can only be filled in one way, for example, those with only one white cell between blocks.
• Overlaps: This is where you look for the same blocks of numbers that overlap. Where the same blocks overlap, you can fill in those cells.
• Out of range: Look for cells that are out of range of any possible blocks of filled-in cells. Any cells beyond a certain point will be out of range and must be left blank.
• Forcing: This is where you place a space in the middle of an uncompleted row, forcing a large block to one side.
• Simple spaces: This method involves determining spaces by searching for cells that are out of range of any possible blocks of filled-in cells.
• Joining and splitting: Boxes that are close to each other may be joined together into one block, or split by a space into several blocks.

Know when to guess

Guessing is generally discouraged when it comes to solving nonograms. This is because, in a logic puzzle, a single error can spread over the entire field and ruin the solution. Usually, only advanced and experienced solvers are able to fix such errors and finish the puzzle.

However, there are some instances where a degree of guesswork may be required. For example, if none of the basic techniques are helping you, you may need to try a "guessing technique". This involves putting one "guess" box in and trying to solve as much as you can with the other techniques. If you come across a contradiction, you know that the "guess" box is supposed to be a space. If you don't come across any contradictions, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's correct, so it's better to guess boxes that have only two options (if there is space for six boxes and you have a clue of five, for instance).

It's important to note that even if it's obvious from the hidden picture that a cell will be a box, it is usually treacherous to rely on it. The picture, however, may help find and eliminate an error.

Additionally, some modern nonogram puzzles have automated counting elements built in, which can make it simpler to count squares and reduce the need for guesswork.

Frequently asked questions