Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 20 October 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-10-20 — 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 Theatre Royal

A 5×5 grid across 3 rooms: Foyer, Dressing, Balcony. Seven statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 11 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.

Estela was in the balcony. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Estela: 4 of 22.
Lidia was in the dressing room. leaves 7 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 7 of 22.
Lidia was in row 3. leaves 2 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 2 of 22.
Julian was in the rightmost column. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 4 of 22.
Julian was in row 2. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 1 of 22.
Ximena was in row 4. leaves 3 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 3 of 22.
Ximena was in column 2. leaves 1 of 22 squares

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia 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:

Estela can only be in Balcony (row 1, column 1) — down from 4 possible squares.
Octavio can only be in Foyer (row 5, column 3) — down from 22 possible squares.
Lidia can only be in Dressing (row 3, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Beginner · time attack — The Theatre Royal

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Workshop, Foyer, Balcony, Pit. Eight statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

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.

Ofelia was in the top row. leaves 5 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ofelia: 5 of 23.
Ofelia was in the foyer. leaves 2 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ofelia: 2 of 23.
Frida was in the rightmost column. leaves 5 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Frida: 5 of 23.
Frida was in row 2. leaves 1 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Frida: 1 of 23.
Percy was in column 4. leaves 5 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 5 of 23.
Percy was in the balcony. leaves 1 of 23 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 1 of 23.
Nestor was in the workshop. leaves 6 of 23 squares
Nestor was in row 3. leaves 1 of 23 squares

Show the squares Ofelia had left

The squares still open to Ofelia once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 23.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Ofelia can only be in Foyer (row 1, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Milo can only be in Balcony (row 4, column 1) — down from 23 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Easy — The Theatre Royal

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Workshop, Balcony, Wings, Office, Bar. Eight statements, nine squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 6 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. CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · P — piano · R — round table · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Jimena was in row 4. leaves 5 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jimena: 5 of 29.
Jimena was in column 3. leaves 1 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jimena: 1 of 29.
Ursula was in row 2. leaves 6 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 6 of 29.
Ursula was in the balcony. leaves 2 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ursula: 2 of 29.
Estela was beside the desk. leaves 3 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Estela: 3 of 29.
Leo was on the carpet. leaves 2 of 29 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Leo: 2 of 29.
Tesa was in the leftmost column. leaves 6 of 29 squares
Tesa was in the top row. leaves 1 of 29 squares

Show the squares Ursula had left

The squares still open to Ursula once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 29.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Ursula can only be in Balcony (row 2, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Sol can only be in Office (row 3, column 2) — down from 29 possible squares.
Estela can only be in Wings (row 5, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Leo can only be in Workshop (row 6, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Easy · time attack — The Theatre Royal

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Stage, Foyer, Balcony, Dressing, Bar. Eight 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. C — carpet (square stays free) · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · R — round table · 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.

Kira was in the balcony. leaves 8 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 8 of 30.
Kira was in row 4. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 2 of 30.
Milo was beside the window. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Milo: 2 of 30.
Felix was in row 3. leaves 4 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Felix: 4 of 30.
Felix was in the rightmost column. leaves 1 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Felix: 1 of 30.
Sol was in the leftmost column. leaves 5 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 5 of 30.
Sol was beside the sofa. leaves 1 of 30 squares
Julian was on the stage. leaves 6 of 30 squares

Show the squares Kira had left

The squares still open to Kira once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 30.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Kira can only be in Balcony (row 4, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Greta can only be in Bar (row 2, column 3) — down from 30 possible squares.
Milo can only be in Stage (row 6, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Julian can only be in Stage (row 5, column 2) — down from 6 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium · time attack — The Theatre Royal

A 7×7 grid across 5 rooms: Office, Foyer, Dressing, Pit, Bar. Eight statements, fifteen squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by one detective 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. CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · H — harp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · R — round table · 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.

Sofia was beside the sofa. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sofia: 2 of 39.
Dora was in the same room as Enzo.
Dora was beside the chest. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 2 of 39.
Dora was somewhere west of Alistair.
Enzo was somewhere east of the Curator.
Gordon was beside the desk. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 2 of 39.
Lorenzo was on the carpet. leaves 4 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 4 of 39.
Alistair was in the office. leaves 8 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 8 of 39.

Show the squares Sofia had left

The squares still open to Sofia once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 39.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Sofia can only be in Foyer (row 7, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Dora can only be in Pit (row 1, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.
Enzo can only be in Pit (row 2, column 7) — down from 39 possible squares.
Pablo can only be in Office (row 6, column 2) — down from 39 possible squares.
Gordon can only be in Bar (row 3, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Lorenzo can only be in Dressing (row 5, column 6) — down from 4 possible squares.
Alistair can only be in Office (row 4, column 5) — down from 8 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium — The Theatre Royal

An 8×7 grid across 5 rooms: Foyer, Dressing, Bar, Stage, Balcony. Ten statements, fifteen squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 8 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · M — mirror (square stays free) · P — piano · R — round table · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Enzo was beside the window. leaves 1 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 1 of 45.
Gilda was beside the armchair. leaves 2 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 2 of 45.
Gilda was in the same room as Ines.
Gilda was somewhere north of Oscar.
Selma was in the same column as the grandfather clock. leaves 5 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Selma: 5 of 45.
Selma was touching the outer wall. leaves 1 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Selma: 1 of 45.
Conrad was in the foyer or on the stage. leaves 16 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 16 of 45.
Conrad was in the same column as the desk. leaves 2 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 2 of 45.
Ines was not touching the outer wall. leaves 26 of 45 squares
Oscar was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 6 of 45 squares

Show the squares Gilda had left

The squares still open to Gilda once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 45.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Gilda can only be in Balcony (row 4, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Stage (row 6, column 8) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ines can only be in Balcony (row 3, column 2) — down from 26 possible squares.
Petra can only be in Foyer (row 2, column 6) — down from 45 possible squares.
Oscar can only be in Bar (row 5, column 4) — down from 6 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Selma, in Foyer (row 1, column 5).

Show the solved board

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

Hard — The Theatre Royal

A 9×8 grid across 7 rooms: Office, Workshop, Balcony, Wings, Foyer, Dressing, Pit. Twelve statements, seventeen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · P — piano · R — round table · 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.

Wilfred was in the same column as the sofa. leaves 8 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 8 of 60.
Vera was in the same room as the Gardener.
Rita was exactly 2 rows north of the Butler.
Dora was exactly 1 column west of the Journalist.
Dora was somewhere north of Gaspar.
Dora was in the same column as the crate. leaves 5 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 5 of 60.
Bianca was all alone in a room.
Bianca was in the same row as the sofa. leaves 16 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bianca: 16 of 60.
Celeste was exactly 2 columns east of the Chef.
Celeste was exactly 2 columns west of the Professor.
Celeste was in the same row as the carpet. leaves 16 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Celeste: 16 of 60.
Gaspar was exactly 3 rows north of Vera.

Show the squares Dora had left

The squares still open to Dora once their own statements are taken into account — 5 of 60.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Dora can only be in Office (row 1, column 7) — down from 5 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 56 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Kaspar stood in Balcony (row 2, column 1), Celeste would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Wilfred stood in Foyer (row 4, column 4), Gaspar would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Vera stood in Balcony (row 5, column 1), Bianca would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Rita in Foyer (row 2, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 52 squares fell the same way.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Dora, in Office (row 1, column 7).

Show the solved board

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

Hard · time attack — The Theatre Royal

A 10×8 grid across 6 rooms: Office, Wings, Pit, Dressing, Bar, Stage. 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · R — round table · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Victor was in the same row as the grandfather clock. leaves 9 of 68 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 9 of 68.
Victor was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 1 of 68 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 1 of 68.
Gordon was in the same column as the harp. leaves 6 of 68 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 6 of 68.
Gordon was all alone in a room.
Walter was in the same room as Boris.
Walter was exactly 6 rows north of the Doctor.
Dorian was in the same row as the harp. leaves 7 of 68 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dorian: 7 of 68.
Dorian was all alone in a room.
Tesa was all alone in a room.
Boris was in the same column as the piano. leaves 6 of 68 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Boris: 6 of 68.
Olivia was somewhere east of Gordon.

Show the squares Gordon had left

The squares still open to Gordon once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 68.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Walter can only be in Pit (row 1, column 8) — down from 68 possible squares.
Dorian can only be in Dressing (row 2, column 6) — down from 7 possible squares.
Tesa can only be in Bar (row 7, column 9) — down from 68 possible squares.
Boris can only be in Pit (row 3, column 10) — down from 6 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 3 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Rufus stood in Pit (row 6, column 7), Olivia would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Olivia stood in Pit (row 6, column 7), Gordon would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 1 squares fell the same way.

Gordon can only be in Wings (row 6, column 4) — 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.

Dorian's motive would have been jealousy.
Tesa's motive would have been blackmail.
Gordon's motive would have been inheritance.
Boris's motive would have been buried secrets.
Whoever did it was not driven by ambition.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.

The answer

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

The only motive left standing for Victor is debts.

Show the solved board

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

Expert — The Theatre Royal

A 10×9 grid across 8 rooms: Workshop, Bar, Wings, Pit, Foyer, Balcony, Dressing, Stage. Fourteen statements, seventeen 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · M — mirror (square stays free) · P — piano · R — round table · 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.

Luna was in the same row as the grandfather clock. leaves 8 of 78 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Luna: 8 of 78.
Vivienne was exactly 4 columns west of the Chef.
Vivienne was all alone in a room.
Ines was somewhere east of Kurt.
Rufus was exactly 2 columns east of the Curator.
Rufus was exactly 6 rows south of Pablo.
Pablo was all alone in a room.
Zeno was somewhere east of Pablo.
Kurt was in the same column as the grandfather clock. leaves 6 of 78 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kurt: 6 of 78.
Kurt was exactly 1 row south of Zeno.
Jimena was all alone in a room.
Jimena was somewhere west of Kurt.
Exactly 2 people were in the foyer.
Exactly 3 people were in the workshop.

Show the squares Kurt had left

The squares still open to Kurt once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 78.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 180 eliminations across 2 rounds of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Vivienne stood in Wings (row 2, column 5), Ines would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ines stood in Foyer (row 1, column 10), Zeno would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Rufus stood in Pit (row 8, column 6), Pablo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Pablo stood in Workshop (row 2, column 7), Rufus would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 176 squares fell the same way.

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.

Ines's motive would have been ambition.
Kurt's motive would have been blackmail.
Pablo's motive would have been revenge.
Jimena's motive would have been obsession.
Vivienne's motive would have been inheritance.
Whoever did it was not driven by debts.
Whoever did it was not driven by buried secrets.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Luna, in Foyer (row 4, column 10).

The only motive left standing for Luna is jealousy.

Show the solved board

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

Expert · time attack — The Theatre Royal

A 10×9 grid across 7 rooms: Office, Foyer, Workshop, Dressing, Wings, Pit, Bar. Fourteen statements, 21 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 one detective 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · H — harp · P — piano · R — round table · 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.

Gaspar was in the same row as a harp. leaves 14 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gaspar: 14 of 74.
Gaspar was exactly 4 rows south of the Curator.
Gaspar was exactly 9 columns east of Delia.
Victor and the Gardener were in different rooms.
Simon and Lidia were alone together in one room.
Delia was all alone in a room.
Delia was in row 9. leaves 9 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 9 of 74.
Lidia was beside a sofa. leaves 6 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 6 of 74.
Margot and Nestor were alone together in one room.
Enzo was in row 8. leaves 7 of 74 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 7 of 74.
Enzo was exactly 3 columns east of the Gardener.
Enzo was exactly 5 columns east of the Colonel.
Enzo was somewhere west of the Curator.
Nestor was somewhere east of Victor.

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 74.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Delia can only be in Dressing (row 9, column 1) — down from 9 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 70 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Gaspar stood in Office (row 8, column 10), Enzo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Victor in Bar (row 1, column 2) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Beatrix in Bar (row 1, column 2) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Simon in Bar (row 1, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 66 squares fell the same way.

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.

Victor's motive would have been debts.
Nestor's motive would have been revenge.
Simon's motive would have been ambition.
Gaspar's motive would have been obsession.
Delia's motive would have been inheritance.
Whoever did it was not driven by blackmail.
Whoever did it was not driven by jealousy.

The answer

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

The only motive left standing for Enzo is buried secrets.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Enzo 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

Five Empty Chairs — The cache at The Theatre Royal came up — found, marked, logged. Not the thing that went missing on day one, but something.

All ten investigations for the day were set at The Theatre Royal, spanning the usual five grades across both standard and time attack files. No liars emerged from the shadows in any room today, though motive had to be established in standard expert, hard time attack, and expert time attack before the dossiers could be closed. The floor plans grew steadily from modest five-by-five layouts to sprawling ten-by-nine arrangements demanding eight rooms of careful deduction.

Standard play saw the heaviest scrutiny at the beginner stage, where eleven of seventeen investigators found their answers. Far fewer took on the clock in time attack, leaving the day largely in the hands of a solitary investigator. chentian claimed the top time in every single case without exception.

Their record ran from a swift nine-second sweep in beginner standard down through a deliberate eight minutes and forty-four seconds on the standard expert board. Against the clock, chentian clocked another nine-second run on the beginner grid, eleven seconds on easy, nineteen seconds on medium, one minute and twenty-two seconds on hard, and wrapped up the expert board in fifty-one seconds. In standard play, they also posted fourteen seconds on easy, nineteen seconds on medium, and two minutes forty-three seconds on hard.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: chentian — 0m 09s · Easy: chentian — 0m 14s · Medium: chentian — 0m 19s · Hard: chentian — 2m 43s · Expert: chentian — 8m 44s · Beginner · time attack: chentian — 0m 09s · Easy · time attack: chentian — 0m 11s · Medium · time attack: chentian — 0m 19s · Hard · time attack: chentian — 1m 22s · Expert · time attack: chentian — 0m 51s