Norinori is a spatial logic puzzle created by Nikoli in 2008. The grid is partitioned into regions. Players shade cells so that each region contains exactly two shaded cells, and all shaded cells form isolated 1x2 or 2x1 dominoes.

Can dominoes touch each other?

No two dominoes may share a horizontal or vertical edge. They may only touch diagonally at their corners.

Can a domino cross into another region?

Yes! A domino can be placed entirely inside one region, or it can straddle the boundary between two adjacent regions, contributing one shaded square to each region.

Can shaded shapes be larger than dominoes?

No. Shaded cells can only ever exist as pairs of size two (1x2 or 2x1). Triominoes (size 3) or larger polyominoes are strictly prohibited.

How many cells are shaded per region?

Every region, regardless of its shape or size, must contain exactly two shaded cells.

Norinori is a spatial logic puzzle created by Nikoli in 2008. The grid is partitioned into regions. Players shade cells so that each region contains exactly two shaded cells, and all shaded cells form isolated 1x2 or 2x1 dominoes.

Can dominoes touch each other?

No two dominoes may share a horizontal or vertical edge. They may only touch diagonally at their corners.

Can a domino cross into another region?

Yes! A domino can be placed entirely inside one region, or it can straddle the boundary between two adjacent regions, contributing one shaded square to each region.

Can shaded shapes be larger than dominoes?

No. Shaded cells can only ever exist as pairs of size two (1x2 or 2x1). Triominoes (size 3) or larger polyominoes are strictly prohibited.

How many cells are shaded per region?

Every region, regardless of its shape or size, must contain exactly two shaded cells.

Nikoli Classic • Domino Shading

Norinori (Domino Shading)

Place dominoes with pinpoint deduction! Shade exactly two cells in every region so all shaded blocks form isolated $1\times2$ and $2\times1$ dominoes.

5x5 Pair Glaze5x5 Grid • 6 Regions (2 Shaded Each)

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0/6 regions filled

Click Tool:

Every region needs exactly 2 shaded cells

Aligning domino regions...

Norinori Rules & Objective

Published by Nikoli in 2008, Norinori (“Paste & Glue”) combines polyomino packing with region partitioning:

1. Exactly 2 Shaded Per RegionEvery outlined region must contain exactly two shaded squares, no more and no less.

2. Strict 1x2 or 2x1 DominoesAll shaded cells must form isolated dominoes (two orthogonally adjacent squares). Triominoes, L-shapes, and squares are strictly forbidden.

3. Non-Touching DominoesTwo dominoes can never touch horizontally or vertically. They may only touch diagonally at their corners.

4. Region StraddlingA domino may be self-contained inside one region, OR it may straddle the border between two adjacent regions (contributing 1 cell to each).

Essential Solving Strategies

1. Size-2 Region Forcing

Always inspect small regions first! If an outlined region contains exactly 2 cells, both of those cells must be shaded. If they are adjacent, they immediately form a domino, protecting all surrounding squares!

2. Immediate Domino Cushion

As soon as two cells are connected into a domino, all other cells orthogonally adjacent to that domino cannot be shaded. Immediately mark those surrounding cells with an 'X'!

3. Avoiding Triominoes (Size 3)

If two adjacent cells are already shaded, any cell adjacent to either of them must remain unshaded. If shaded, it would create an illegal triomino of size 3.

4. Single Cell Extension

Every shaded square must have an orthogonal partner. If a shaded cell has only one remaining available neighbor, that neighbor is 100% forced to be shaded to complete the domino!

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