Thread a single unbroken chain of numbers through the grid, each value touching the one that follows it.
A few numbers are placed as clues. Fill in the rest so the grid contains every value from 1 up to N squared, and consecutive numbers always sit in neighboring cells, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, forming one continuous path.
Filling a grid with every value from 1 to N² so that consecutive numbers always sit in neighbouring cells — diagonals included — is Hidato, invented by the Israeli mathematician Dr Gyora M. Benedek.
The name Hidato is a registered trademark, which is why the same puzzle appears elsewhere as Number Snake, Jadium or Numbrix; the orthogonal-only variants play noticeably differently.
Allowing diagonal steps is the choice that matters. Eight neighbours instead of four gives the chain far more room to wander, so the given clues constrain the path much more loosely — which makes the deduction less about where a number can go and more about where the chain cannot double back.
Snakepath is an original, free browser take on the consecutive-number chain logic puzzle, where diagonal moves keep the path flowing. It comes with three sizes, a hint helper and daily and practice modes.