Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 6 September 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-09-06 — each difficulty published twice, once untimed and once as time attack. Each case is procedurally generated and then proved to have exactly one logical solution before it is published, including the cases where somebody is lying. You place every suspect back on the map using only their testimony: exactly one person per row, never two in a column. Whoever is left alone with the victim did it.

Beginner — The Hotel Meridian

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Gallery, Kitchen, Bar, Suite. Five statements, seven squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 10 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Celeste was in the leftmost column. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Celeste: 4 of 22.
Celeste was in row 2. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Celeste: 1 of 22.
Enzo was beside a window. leaves 2 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 2 of 22.
Oscar was in the bar. leaves 3 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Oscar: 3 of 22.
Flora was in column 3. leaves 3 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Flora: 3 of 22.

Show the squares Enzo had left

The squares still open to Enzo once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 22.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Enzo can only be in Kitchen (row 1, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Oscar can only be in Bar (row 5, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Quentin can only be in Gallery (row 4, column 2) — down from 22 possible squares.
Flora can only be in Gallery (row 3, column 3) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Flora, in Gallery (row 3, column 3).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Flora is ringed in red.

Beginner · time attack — The Hotel Meridian

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Terrace, Ballroom, Kitchen, Bar. Six statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Marina was in the ballroom. leaves 5 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 5 of 21.
Marina was in row 3. leaves 1 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 1 of 21.
Conrad was in the rightmost column. leaves 5 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 5 of 21.
Conrad was in the bar. leaves 3 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 3 of 21.
Ignacio was in the top row. leaves 4 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ignacio: 4 of 21.
Gordon was in the bar. leaves 6 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 6 of 21.

Show the squares Conrad had left

The squares still open to Conrad once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 21.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Conrad can only be in Bar (row 2, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Ignacio can only be in Kitchen (row 1, column 1) — down from 4 possible squares.
Vivienne can only be in Ballroom (row 5, column 2) — down from 21 possible squares.
Gordon can only be in Bar (row 4, column 4) — down from 6 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Marina, in Ballroom (row 3, column 3).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Marina is ringed in red.

Easy — The Hotel Meridian

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Suite, Cellar, Ballroom, Lobby. Seven statements, ten squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 10 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · D — desk · G — grandfather clock · P — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Simon was in column 3. leaves 5 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Simon: 5 of 32.
Simon was beside the carpet. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Simon: 2 of 32.
Nico was in column 2. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 6 of 32.
Nico was in row 4. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 1 of 32.
Queralt was in row 2. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Queralt: 6 of 32.
Abel was beside the sofa. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Abel: 2 of 32.
Boris was beside the desk. leaves 3 of 32 squares

Show the squares Simon had left

The squares still open to Simon once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 32.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Simon can only be in Cellar (row 5, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Queralt can only be in Ballroom (row 2, column 4) — down from 6 possible squares.
Dora can only be in Ballroom (row 1, column 5) — down from 32 possible squares.
Abel can only be in Suite (row 3, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Boris can only be in Lobby (row 6, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Queralt, in Ballroom (row 2, column 4).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Queralt is ringed in red.

Easy · time attack — The Hotel Meridian

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Lobby, Office, Cellar, Suite, Gallery. Seven statements, nine squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · D — desk · F — floor lamp · M — mirror (square stays free) · P — piano · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Queralt was seated on the sofa. leaves 2 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Queralt: 2 of 32.
Ruben was in the gallery. leaves 4 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ruben: 4 of 32.
Conrad was beside the bed. leaves 3 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 3 of 32.
Pablo was beside the carpet. leaves 3 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 3 of 32.
Pablo was beside the chest. leaves 1 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 1 of 32.
Yolanda was in the top row. leaves 6 of 32 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yolanda: 6 of 32.
Yolanda was beside the floor lamp. leaves 1 of 32 squares

Show the squares Queralt had left

The squares still open to Queralt once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 32.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Queralt can only be in Lobby (row 2, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ruben can only be in Gallery (row 5, column 3) — down from 4 possible squares.
Dante can only be in Cellar (row 3, column 6) — down from 32 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Lobby (row 6, column 1) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Pablo, in Cellar (row 4, column 5).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Pablo is ringed in red.

Medium · time attack — The Hotel Meridian

An 8×7 grid across 6 rooms: Gallery, Lobby, Ballroom, Kitchen, Suite, Cellar. Eight statements, thirteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Wanda was on the carpet. leaves 2 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 2 of 48.
Clara was in the lobby or in the suite. leaves 12 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Clara: 12 of 48.
Clara was somewhere south of Julian.
Julian was in the same row as the potted plant. leaves 7 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 7 of 48.
Ursula was beside the chest. leaves 2 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 2 of 48.
Gordon was beside the grandfather clock. leaves 2 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 2 of 48.
Yolanda was in the same column as the chest. leaves 6 of 48 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yolanda: 6 of 48.
Nobody was in the ballroom.

Show the squares Wanda had left

The squares still open to Wanda once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 48.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Wanda can only be in Cellar (row 7, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Clara can only be in Suite (row 4, column 1) — down from 12 possible squares.
Julian can only be in Kitchen (row 3, column 8) — down from 7 possible squares.
Ursula can only be in Lobby (row 6, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.
Gordon can only be in Kitchen (row 1, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Yolanda can only be in Kitchen (row 5, column 5) — down from 6 possible squares.
Bruno can only be in Suite (row 2, column 3) — down from 48 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Clara, in Suite (row 4, column 1).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Clara is ringed in red.

Medium — The Hotel Meridian

An 8×7 grid across 5 rooms: Bar, Lobby, Ballroom, Cellar, Suite. Nine statements, twelve squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 9 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · D — desk · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Pablo was beside the window. leaves 1 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 1 of 50.
Kira was in the same column as the sofa. leaves 13 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 13 of 50.
Kira was not touching the outer wall. leaves 5 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 5 of 50.
Kira was in row 4. leaves 1 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 1 of 50.
Estela was in the same room as Frida.
Milo was beside the potted plant. leaves 3 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Milo: 3 of 50.
Frida was beside the painting. leaves 1 of 50 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Frida: 1 of 50.
Tesa was in column 4. leaves 7 of 50 squares
Tesa was in the ballroom or in the cellar. leaves 3 of 50 squares

Show the squares Milo had left

The squares still open to Milo once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 50.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Estela can only be in Bar (row 6, column 5) — down from 50 possible squares.
Milo can only be in Ballroom (row 2, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.
Tesa can only be in Cellar (row 7, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Ulises can only be in Lobby (row 3, column 1) — down from 50 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Kira, in Lobby (row 4, column 2).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Kira is ringed in red.

Hard — The Hotel Meridian

A 9×8 grid across 6 rooms: Lobby, Ballroom, Bar, Suite, Kitchen, Gallery. Ten statements, fifteen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

Cracked by 5 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · D — desk · F — floor lamp · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Ada was in the same room as the Colonel.
Ada was exactly 4 columns east of the Curator.
Oscar was exactly 5 rows north of Milo.
Kaspar was in the same row as the sofa. leaves 14 of 64 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kaspar: 14 of 64.
Irene was all alone in a room.
Milo was all alone in a room.
Clara was in the same column as the bed. leaves 16 of 64 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Clara: 16 of 64.
Clara was in the same row as the desk. leaves 2 of 64 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Clara: 2 of 64.
Boris was exactly 7 rows north of the Curator.
Boris was in the same column as the chest. leaves 7 of 64 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Boris: 7 of 64.

Show the squares Clara had left

The squares still open to Clara once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 64.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Kaspar can only be in Ballroom (row 7, column 6) — down from 14 possible squares.
Irene can only be in Suite (row 2, column 9) — down from 64 possible squares.
Milo can only be in Gallery (row 8, column 1) — down from 64 possible squares.
Clara can only be in Bar (row 6, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.
Boris can only be in Lobby (row 1, column 4) — down from 7 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 8 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Nestor stood in Ballroom (row 3, column 3), Oscar would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ada stood in Ballroom (row 3, column 5), Oscar would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Oscar in Ballroom (row 3, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Nestor stood on the dashed square. Oscar then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 5 squares fell the same way.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Clara, in Bar (row 6, column 7).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Clara is ringed in red.

Hard · time attack — The Hotel Meridian

A 9×8 grid across 6 rooms: Cellar, Lobby, Kitchen, Suite, Ballroom, Gallery. Eleven statements, sixteen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

The twist: the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · D — desk · F — floor lamp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Estela was exactly 7 rows south of the Gardener.
Estela was exactly 5 columns east of Dora.
Dora was in the same row as the sofa. leaves 8 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 8 of 62.
Helena was all alone in a room.
Sol was all alone in a room.
Sol was exactly 2 rows north of Helena.
Pablo was exactly 4 columns east of the Gardener.
Pablo was exactly 2 columns west of the Butler.
Pablo was in the same row as the armchair. leaves 9 of 62 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Pablo: 9 of 62.
Gilda was in the same room as the Gardener.
Xavier was somewhere north of the Diva.

Show the squares Dora had left

The squares still open to Dora once their own statements are taken into account — 8 of 62.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 74 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Frida stood in Lobby (row 1, column 2), Xavier would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Estela stood in Kitchen (row 8, column 7), Xavier would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Dora stood in Gallery (row 6, column 2), Estela would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Helena stood in Gallery (row 5, column 2), Dora would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Frida stood on the dashed square. Xavier then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 70 squares fell the same way.

Frida can only be in Gallery (row 7, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 7 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Pablo's motive would have been revenge.
Sol's motive would have been buried secrets.
Estela's motive would have been debts.
Gilda's motive would have been jealousy.
Dora was not driven by ambition.
Dora was not driven by inheritance.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Dora, in Gallery (row 6, column 1).

The only motive left standing for Dora is obsession.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Dora is ringed in red.

Expert — The Hotel Meridian

A 10×9 grid across 7 rooms: Office, Ballroom, Kitchen, Gallery, Cellar, Terrace, Lobby. Thirteen statements, sixteen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

Cracked by 3 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Nestor was in the same column as a bed. leaves 25 of 80 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 25 of 80.
Quentin and Alma were alone together in one room.
Quentin was in the same column as the potted plant. leaves 8 of 80 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Quentin: 8 of 80.
Wilfred was in the same row as a bed. leaves 28 of 80 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 28 of 80.
Alma was in the same column as the carpet. leaves 15 of 80 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 15 of 80.
Vera was exactly 7 rows north of the Chauffeur.
Vera was in the same column as the grandfather clock. leaves 7 of 80 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 7 of 80.
Ivan was exactly 1 row north of the Doctor.
Sofia was exactly 9 columns west of Ivan.
Estela was somewhere west of the Chauffeur.
Estela was exactly 1 row south of the Heiress.
Estela was exactly 3 columns west of the Gardener.
Exactly 2 people were in the ballroom.

Show the squares Vera had left

The squares still open to Vera once their own statements are taken into account — 7 of 80.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Nestor can only be in Gallery (row 9, column 4) — down from 25 possible squares.
Vera can only be in Office (row 2, column 7) — down from 7 possible squares.
Ivan can only be in Kitchen (row 1, column 10) — down from 80 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 22 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Quentin stood in Terrace (row 6, column 6), Alma would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Wilfred stood in Lobby (row 3, column 1), Sofia would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Alma stood in Ballroom (row 6, column 9), Estela would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Leo stood in Gallery (row 8, column 3), Estela would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Quentin stood on the dashed square. Alma then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 18 squares fell the same way.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Wilfred, in Ballroom (row 7, column 8).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Wilfred is ringed in red.

Expert · time attack — The Hotel Meridian

A 10×9 grid across 8 rooms: Kitchen, Bar, Ballroom, Lobby, Terrace, Office, Gallery, Suite. Thirteen statements, sixteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and two rounds of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

The twist: the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · D — desk · F — floor lamp · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Cesar was all alone in a room.
Katia was all alone in a room.
Katia was exactly 6 columns west of Nadia.
Marina was all alone in a room.
Marina was in the same column as the armchair. leaves 9 of 79 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 9 of 79.
Hugo was in the same row as the desk. leaves 8 of 79 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hugo: 8 of 79.
Octavio was in the same column as a potted plant. leaves 14 of 79 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Octavio: 14 of 79.
Nadia was exactly 2 rows south of the Professor.
Felix was somewhere east of the Chef.
Felix was somewhere north of the Journalist.
Vasco was in the same row as a potted plant. leaves 18 of 79 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vasco: 18 of 79.
Vasco was exactly 1 column west of Cesar.
Exactly 3 people were in the ballroom.

Show the squares Hugo had left

The squares still open to Hugo once their own statements are taken into account — 8 of 79.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 204 eliminations across 2 rounds of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Alma stood in Kitchen (row 4, column 1), Hugo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Cesar stood in Suite (row 1, column 9), Marina would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Katia stood in Kitchen (row 7, column 2), Octavio would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Marina in Suite (row 1, column 7) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Alma stood on the dashed square. Hugo then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 200 squares fell the same way.

Alma can only be in Bar (row 3, column 1) — down from 9 possible squares.
Cesar can only be in Suite (row 1, column 4) — down from 7 possible squares.
Katia can only be in Kitchen (row 5, column 2) — down from 3 possible squares.
Hugo can only be in Gallery (row 4, column 5) — down from 4 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 8 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Hugo's motive would have been revenge.
Cesar's motive would have been jealousy.
Felix's motive would have been blackmail.
Marina's motive would have been debts.
Nadia's motive would have been buried secrets.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by ambition.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Vasco, in Bar (row 2, column 3).

The only motive left standing for Vasco is inheritance.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Vasco is ringed in red.

How to read a case above

The grid size is the size of the crime scene, so a 10×9 expert case is a far larger search than a 5×5 beginner one — but the difficulty is really carried by the clues, not the square count. A beginner case tells you almost directly where somebody stood. An expert case tells you where somebody was not, three times, and expects you to do the rest — and on half of them one of those statements is a lie told to protect the killer. If a case lists a motive, naming the right person is not enough on its own; you have to prove why.

How to play · Solving cases with a liar · Techniques

The day in review

The Cartographer’s Debt — Something was recovered at The Hotel Meridian at last. The season's own missing piece stays missing. The road ends at a door, and the door is answered. Chapter 2 concludes with the phantom road laid bare upon the magistrate's desk, its tolls recorded and its surveyor's debt called in. Five accomplices stand formally charged, though seven remain merely suspected, and the Quartermaster continues to move freely through the blank spaces of the county map.

The Hotel Meridian served as the backdrop for all ten cases on September 6, 2026. Across both standard investigations and time attack runs, the mysteries began simply on smaller floors before expanding to intricate layouts. While earlier boards required neither deceit nor complex reasoning, the higher stakes of the hard and expert time attack cases demanded that investigators establish a motive to close the file.

A regular investigator named chentian moved briskly through the building, claiming the quickest times across most assignments. In the untimed halls, chentian cleared the beginner 5x5 board in 0m 14s, the easy 6x6 in 0m 15s, and the medium 8x7 in 0m 25s. Turning to the clock, chentian also took the beginner case in 0m 15s, the easy board in 0m 13s, the medium in 1m 00s, and unraveled the eight-room expert time attack in 10m 28s.

The remaining inquiries saw a guest detective step forward with key breakthroughs. In the untimed wing, this anonymous investigator resolved the hard 9x8 scene in 1m 39s and the ten-by-nine expert grid in 2m 38s. Facing the clock on the motive-driven hard case, a guest detective secured the day's final top mark in 7m 13s.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: chentian — 0m 14s · Easy: chentian — 0m 15s · Medium: chentian — 0m 25s · Hard: a guest detective — 1m 39s · Expert: a guest detective — 2m 38s · Beginner · time attack: chentian — 0m 15s · Easy · time attack: chentian — 0m 13s · Medium · time attack: chentian — 1m 00s · Hard · time attack: a guest detective — 7m 13s · Expert · time attack: chentian — 10m 28s