This is a variation of sudoku on a "standard" 9x9 grid which contains a set of special clue-numbers. These are small numbers provided by sets of 4 small digits. Each set of 4 small digits in the intersection of two grid lines stands for the numbers in the four cells of the grid adjacent to this set.

The remaining rules are as in a "standard" sudoku, and the object of the puzzle is to fill in the whole 9x9 grid with numbers 1 through 9 (one number per cell) so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes must contain all the nine different numbers 1 through 9.

Here is a brief explanation of how the special clue-numbers work. It can be seen that the 4 adjacent cells around each set of 4 small digits overlap one or more sets of adjacent cells with 4 small digits. For example, in the puzzle, taking the two sets of adjacent cells with small digits {4568} and {1789}, we find that they overlap at the cell with the number 8.

The rest of the puzzle is solved in the same way through logical deduction using the usual sudoku techniques and by determining the numbers in the cells in one set that overlap the cells in other sets.