The break-in

How each week’s hard puzzle opens up: the first deductions, drawn step by step, and the one that cracks the board. Each issue goes up after its week ends.

The break-in: Queens of the week 4October 5, 2026 · Queens of the week 4 is a 10×10 that solves in 15 steps. Steps 1 to 7 are routine. Step 8 is the first deduction that isn’t routine, which solvers call the break-in.