Daily Calendar Puzzle

Daydoku - Calendar Puzzle

Daydoku is a captivating daily puzzle that combines calendar-based challenges with the strategic placement of polyominoes. The game features a calendar grid (comprising days, months, and weekdays) along with 10 distinct polyominoes (3 tetrominoes and 7 pentominoes). Each day, players must skillfully arrange all the polyominoes within the calendar grid in such a way that only the squares corresponding to the current day remain visible. Engage your problem-solving abilities and spatial reasoning skills as you discover multiple solutions to this intriguing and ever-changing daily calendar puzzle.

Game Modes

Five boards, one new challenge each per day — switch between them with the tabs above the puzzle:

• DAYDOKU — the original three-window board: 10 pieces, leave today's month, day, and weekday visible.
• Micro — the quick one: a compact two-window board with 11 tiny pieces. A coffee-break solve.
• Classic — the two-window board: 9 pieces on a tighter grid, leave only today's month and day visible.
• Mini — a year-planner board: months down a two-wide spine, days in week rows beside them, cut into 14 tiny pieces (triominoes and tetrominoes). More pieces, more combinations, a different kind of fiddly.
• Grande — the hard one: just 8 big pieces (pentominoes and a hexomino). Far less forgiving; expect to backtrack.

Every board is verified by computer to have at least one solution for every date of the year — most dates have many.

How to Play

1. Drag pieces onto the calendar. Pieces snap to the grid when you drop them. They start scattered around the board.
2. Rotate and flip. Tap a piece to select it, then drag the ring around it to rotate. Non-symmetrical pieces also show a flip button above them to mirror the shape.
3. Leave today visible. Fit all 10 pieces inside the calendar so that every square is covered except three: today's month, day, and weekday.
4. Find more solutions. Each date has many valid arrangements — after your first "Puzzle solved!", keep rearranging to discover another one.

Strategies and Techniques

Polyomino puzzles, such as Daydoku, present a unique and engaging challenge that tests a player's spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. To help you master this intriguing daily puzzle, we've compiled a list of strategies and techniques that will guide you through the art of polyomino placement.

Start with the largest polyominoes

Begin by placing the larger pentominoes within the calendar grid, as they occupy more space and can significantly restrict the available options. This initial step helps you eliminate possibilities and makes it easier to visualize how the remaining polyominoes can fit into the grid.

Consider the shape and orientation of the polyominoes

Polyominoes can be rotated and reflected to find the best possible position within the calendar grid. Carefully examine the shape of each polyomino and consider all possible orientations before placing it on the grid. This flexibility allows for creative solutions and increases the likelihood of discovering multiple valid configurations.

Work around the current date

Keep in mind the ultimate goal of revealing the current day, month, and weekday. Focus on positioning the polyominoes so that they do not obstruct these essential calendar elements. As you progress, try to maintain open spaces around the target date to ensure a valid solution.

Use a trial-and-error approach

If you're unsure about a particular placement, experiment with different arrangements and orientations of the polyominoes. Don't be afraid to move pieces around and try new combinations. This trial-and-error process can lead to unexpected discoveries and help you better understand the spatial relationships between polyominoes.

Look for patterns and symmetry

Some calendar puzzle solutions may exhibit patterns or symmetrical arrangements. Pay attention to these potential clues, as they can provide valuable hints for placing polyominoes efficiently. Recognizing patterns can also help you anticipate potential problems and find alternative solutions more quickly.