Yajilin: drawing the loop
Every loop cell has exactly two lines. Cells that can’t have two are shaded, cells with two open sides use both, and the loop never closes early.
How it works
The loop passes through every cell that is not shaded and not a clue, entering and leaving through two of its sides. That one fact does most of the work.
Dead end: a cell with fewer than two open sides can’t be on the loop, so it is shaded. A dead end often sits in a corner or between clues.
Two lines per cell: a loop cell with only two open sides uses both. A loop cell that already has two lines closes its other sides.
No small loops: there is only one loop. A line that would join the two ends of one piece, while other loop cells are left out, can’t be drawn. That is a small loop.
Follow the loop
Most of a Yajilin is these moves over and over. Each new line takes a side away from a neighbor, which can leave that neighbor with exactly two sides, and so on along a corridor.
Watch the ends of each piece of loop. When two ends of the same piece sit side by side, the side between them stays empty unless every other loop cell is already in that piece.
Worth memorizing
Fewer than two open sides: shaded.
Exactly two open sides: both are lines.
Two lines already: close the rest.
And never close a small loop.
Practice
0 of 4 rightWhat is the ringed cell?
Does the loop use the ringed side?
Does the loop use the ringed side?
Does the loop use the ringed side?