The full logical solve of the hard Masyu for September 8 to September 14, 2026, 12 × 12. 183 steps, 11 techniques, no guessing. Step through it, or jump to any step below.
The black pearl at row 2, column 1 has no room for a two-square leg up before the edge. So its leg goes down, two squares.
The square at row 3, column 1 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 1, column 1 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 2, column 1 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 2, column 1 sends a leg right. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step right.
The square at row 2, column 2 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 1, column 2 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
A line touches the white pearl at row 2, column 3. It goes straight through, so it leaves on the opposite side and the other two sides are ×.
The square at row 1, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The black pearl at row 2, column 9 has no room for a two-square leg up before the edge. So its leg goes down, two squares.
The square at row 3, column 9 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 5, column 12 has no room for a two-square leg right before the edge. So its leg goes left, two squares.
The square at row 5, column 11 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 6, column 1 has no room for a two-square leg left before the edge. So its leg goes right, two squares.
The square at row 6, column 2 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 6, column 12 has no room for a two-square leg right before the edge. So its leg goes left, two squares.
The square at row 6, column 11 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 9, column 1 has no room for a two-square leg left before the edge. So its leg goes right, two squares.
The square at row 9, column 2 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 10, column 2 from sending a two-square leg up. So its leg goes down, two squares.
The square at row 11, column 2 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 10, column 2 has no room for a two-square leg left before the edge. So its leg goes right, two squares.
The square at row 10, column 3 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 12, column 8 has no room for a two-square leg down before the edge. So its leg goes up, two squares.
The square at row 11, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearl at row 12, column 10 has no room for a two-square leg down before the edge. So its leg goes up, two squares.
The square at row 11, column 10 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The white pearl at row 1, column 5 sits on the edge, so the loop can’t go straight through it up and down. It runs left and right.
The line into row 1, column 4 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 2, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 4, column 4 from sending a two-square leg up. So its leg goes down, two squares.
The square at row 5, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The white pearl at row 1, column 7 sits on the edge, so the loop can’t go straight through it up and down. It runs left and right.
The square at row 1, column 6 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 3, column 8 stops the loop going left and right through it. So it runs up and down.
The white pearl at row 3, column 12 sits on the edge, so the loop can’t go straight through it left and right. It runs up and down.
A × beside the white pearl at row 7, column 2 stops the loop going up and down through it. So it runs left and right.
The white pearl at row 11, column 12 sits on the edge, so the loop can’t go straight through it left and right. It runs up and down.
The line into row 12, column 12 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The white pearl at row 12, column 3 sits on the edge, so the loop can’t go straight through it up and down. It runs left and right.
The square at row 12, column 2 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 11, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 12, column 1 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 11, column 1 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 10, column 1 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 9, column 1 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 9, column 1 sends a leg up. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step up.
The square at row 7, column 1 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 8, column 1 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The line into row 6, column 1 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 8, column 2 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The black pearl at row 6, column 1 sends a leg up. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step up.
The square at row 4, column 1 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 5, column 1 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearls at row 5, column 12 and row 6, column 12 touch. A leg from one would run straight through the other, which must turn. So the side between them is ×.
The line into row 5, column 12 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 4, column 12 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The line into row 6, column 12 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 6, column 12 sends a leg down. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step down.
The square at row 7, column 12 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The black pearls at row 7, column 6 and row 8, column 6 touch. A leg from one would run straight through the other, which must turn. So the side between them is ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 7, column 6 from sending a two-square leg down. So its leg goes up, two squares.
The square at row 6, column 6 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 6, column 7 from sending a two-square leg left. So its leg goes right, two squares.
The square at row 6, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 8, column 6 from sending a two-square leg up. So its leg goes down, two squares.
The square at row 9, column 6 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The loop goes straight on past the white pearl at row 1, column 7 on the left side. So it must turn right after the pearl on the right side, and can’t carry straight on there.
The line into row 1, column 8 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 2, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 1, column 9 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 2, column 9 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 2, column 9 sends a leg right. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step right.
The square at row 2, column 10 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 1, column 10 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The loop goes straight on past the white pearl at row 3, column 8 on the up side. So it must turn right after the pearl on the down side, and can’t carry straight on there.
The loop goes straight on past the white pearl at row 3, column 12 on the down side. So it must turn right after the pearl on the up side, and can’t carry straight on there.
The square at row 1, column 12 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 1, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 2, column 12 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 2, column 11 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 3, column 10 and row 3, column 11. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 10 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 4, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
Suppose the side between row 4, column 7 and row 4, column 8 were ×. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So the loop runs there.
The square at row 4, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 4, column 9 and row 4, column 10. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The line into row 4, column 9 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 4, column 10 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
A line touches the white pearl at row 5, column 9. It goes straight through, so it leaves on the opposite side and the other two sides are ×.
The square at row 6, column 9 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 5, column 8 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 5, column 10 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 6, column 10 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the side between row 8, column 9 and row 8, column 10 were ×. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So the loop runs there.
A line touches the white pearl at row 8, column 10. It goes straight through, so it leaves on the opposite side and the other two sides are ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 9, column 10 stops the loop going up and down through it. So it runs left and right.
A line touches the white pearl at row 9, column 11. It goes straight through, so it leaves on the opposite side and the other two sides are ×.
The loop goes straight on past the white pearl at row 9, column 10 on the right side. So it must turn right after the pearl on the left side, and can’t carry straight on there.
Suppose the loop ran between row 8, column 8 and row 8, column 9. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 7, column 9 and row 7, column 10. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 7, column 10 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 7, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 8, column 11 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 8, column 12 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The line into row 9, column 12 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 10, column 12 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 7, column 8 and row 7, column 9. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 7, column 9 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 8, column 9 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 9, column 9 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 10, column 9 stops the loop going up and down through it. So it runs left and right.
The square at row 10, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 10, column 10 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 10, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 11, column 9 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 11, column 11 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 12, column 11 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 12, column 10 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 12, column 9 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 12, column 8 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 12, column 8 sends a leg left. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step left.
The square at row 12, column 7 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the side between row 9, column 3 and row 9, column 4 were ×. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So the loop runs there.
The square at row 9, column 3 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A line touches the white pearl at row 9, column 4. It goes straight through, so it leaves on the opposite side and the other two sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 8, column 5 and row 8, column 6. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The line into row 8, column 6 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The black pearl at row 8, column 6 sends a leg right. A leg runs straight through the next square, so the line goes on one more step right.
The square at row 8, column 7 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 6, column 7 from sending a two-square leg down. So its leg goes up, two squares.
The square at row 4, column 7 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 5, column 7 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 4, column 6 from sending a two-square leg right. So its leg goes left, two squares.
The square at row 4, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 4, column 5 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 2, column 6 and row 2, column 7. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 2, column 7 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 7 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
Whether or not the loop runs between row 2, column 5 and row 2, column 6, the rules force the side between row 3, column 5 and row 3, column 6 to be ×. So it is.
Suppose the loop ran between row 7, column 4 and row 7, column 5. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
A × stops the black pearl at row 7, column 6 from sending a two-square leg left. So its leg goes right, two squares.
The line into row 7, column 8 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 8, column 8 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 9, column 8 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 9, column 7 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 7, column 5 stops the loop going left and right through it. So it runs up and down.
Suppose the loop ran between row 2, column 5 and row 2, column 6. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 2, column 5 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 2, column 6 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 5 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 4 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 6 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 4, column 6 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 5, column 6 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 5, column 5 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 6, column 5 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 6, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 3, column 2 and row 3, column 3. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 2 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 3, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
Suppose the loop ran between row 4, column 2 and row 4, column 3. Following the rules from there, some square or pearl breaks. So that side is ×.
The square at row 4, column 2 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 4, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 5, column 2 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 5, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 6, column 3 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 7, column 3 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 7, column 4 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 8, column 3 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 8, column 4 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The line into row 8, column 5 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 9, column 5 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 10, column 5 stops the loop going up and down through it. So it runs left and right.
The square at row 10, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 10, column 6 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The square at row 10, column 7 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
The square at row 11, column 7 has only one open side. A loop can’t enter it and leave again, so that side is ×.
A × beside the white pearl at row 11, column 5 stops the loop going up and down through it. So it runs left and right.
The line into row 11, column 4 has only one way out, so it goes that way.
The square at row 12, column 4 already has two lines. The loop can’t branch, so its other sides are ×.
The line into row 11, column 6 has only one way out, so it goes that way.