Sudoku Puzzle

The numbers shown in the example are the

"givens". These numbers can not be changed in
any puzzle.

You solve the puzzle by filling in the empty cells

with a single number (from all the possible
candidates) that doesn't violateSudoku rules. There
is only one correct number per cell.

Scan the "givens" looking for the same number in

different rows, columns, or regions. Eliminate cells
for consideration by applying the Sudoku rules
using these numbers.

In cases where the solution isn't immediately

obvious, you markup or pencil in a vacant cell
the possible candidates for future reference.

Consider using the blank Sudoku grid with candidates method to determine all the possible
candidates. This can save you time in solving puzzles and prevent missing important
candidates. It will also reveal answers that are not immediately obvious otherwise.

After you have identified the possible candidates it is time to apply some logic. It is
necessary to eliminate all candidates to arrive at a single answer for each cell. I'll cover this
topic in more detail in related articles.

The Sudoku Puzzle Challenge

Complete the Sudoku puzzle so that each and every row, column, and region contains the
numbers one through nine only once.

The puzzle above I would rate as very easy. I hand crafted this puzzle. It can be solved
using simple logic and eliminating a few candidates.

It is interesting to note that it is not the quantity of givens that make a Sudoku puzzle easy
or hard. Rather, it is the location and combination of givens.

How To Play Sudoku

Sudoku Puzzle Scan For Ones

In this example on how to play Sudoku, we begin playing Sudoku by scanning the puzzle.
 It doesn't matter where you start. I suggest looking
for the number that has several "givens". The more
givens of a particular number often means that it
will be easier to solve.

In this case you can see that there are three

number ones (1).

Applying the Sudoku rule, you know that a 1 can

not go in any row, column, or region that already
has a 1. Plus you know, that every row, column,
and region must have a 1.

The scans are marked with red arrows in this example. The two parallel scans from the two
ones in the middle tier prevent any ones in the top two rows of the left most region. The
vertical scan eliminates the middle cell of the bottom row from consideration.

In this example, you can see that there is only one cell (marked with a black X) that can
contain a 1 in the left most region in the middle tier. Enter a 1 in the cell marked with an X.

Now that a cell is solved, you should look to see if it will help us solve another cell or two. In
this case there aren't enough clues to solve for ones at this time.

Likewise there aren't enough clues using this method for twos or threes at this time.

Let's look at the fours for your next lesson on how to play Sudoku.

Sudoku Puzzle Scan For Fours

You can see a similar pattern in the fours as there was in the
ones above. In the lower left region you can see that there is
only one cell (marked with an X) that isn't eliminated using the
scan method. Enter a 4 there.

See if you can find the rest of the fours. You have enough clues.

Now continue solving for fives through eights. Your grid will look
like the next graphic in the center of your grid.

Naked Nine

Can you find a nine in

the example at the left
without using any other
numbers to help?
Yes, you're right. A nine goes in the middle row to complete the row. It is the only missing
number. That was simple!

The Sudoku Solution So Far

You are making great progress in learning how to

play Sudoku. You should be able solve most cells
using the scan method you learned so far.

The image on the left was solved using just the

scan method and entering the naked nine as
mentioned earlier.

Pencil In Candidates

Let's say
you are
stuck. It's
time to pencil in all the possible candidates
for the remaining cells.

The example on the left shows all the possible

candidates for the partially solved puzzle.

You can quickly note that in the seventh column are

two "naked" single numbers standing alone.

The naked numbers are 1 and a 2. We also have

a "hidden" 6 in the same column.

Since the 1 and 2 are already found, you can

eliminate the 1 and 2 from the cell containing
1, 2 and 6. The 6 remains. Enter these numbers and you have quickly completed the
column.

Now that you have found a 1 in the seventh column, you can eliminate the 1 from the last
cell in the bottom row. (left most region)

A 3 remains. Enter the 3 and you have completed the bottom row.

As you enter a found number, be sure to cross off that number in the row, column, and
region that your found number is in. As you do, new "naked" numbers will appear.

In the lower left region, when you entered a 3 solving the bottom row, enables you to now
eliminate all threes in this region. Doing so reveals another "naked" 6 and a 1/6 pair. Enter
the 6 where the "naked" 6 is.
Now you can also remove the 6 from the last cell in this region. A "naked" 1 remains. Enter
the 1 and you have solved this region.

I'll start with the basic thing and progress to the less basic
things.

Step 1: How to Play Sudoku

The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row,
and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions)
contains the digits from 1 to 9.

A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row , column and

region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81
cells. A region has thicker lines surrounding it. This simply makes
it easier to play the game.

Step 2: The Basic Basics(scanning)

I most basic strategy to find missing numbers is scanning and it
consists of
1)Cross-hatching.
2)Counting.

1) Crosshatching (shown in the first picture). You scan rows and

columns to eliminate where a specific number can be in a given
region.As you can see there is only one legal place left for the
1(marked green).

2)Counting. In counting you simply count all the different

numbers that's in a row,column and region that connects to one
cell. if there is just one number missing then thats what should
be in the cell. Take a look at the second picture and see if you
can figure out the missing number in the green cell.

the correct answer is :4

legend: green = result

red = cause(the cause of the result that is)
Step 3: The Analysis Is a Higher Level Method

Analysis consists of two methods namely candidate elimination

and the what if.

I will not be showing the what if to you because i don't like it. It's
slow progress and i don't like to erase that much.

the candidate elimination. the method for candidate elimination

I'm showing now is the matched pair method.This method
happens when a pair of numbers are the only possible answer to
two cells.

Take a look at the picture. I have concluded(with the help of

cross hatching) that 7 and 8 can only be in two places in the
lower left region(i filled both in) . The two cells which 7 and 8 can
be in is in the same column, thus it cannot be elsewhere in the
column. There is two other blank cells in this column and the
missing numbers is 9 and 3. We can see that 3 can not be in the
'middle' open cell. This means 3 is in the top cell(marked green)
and 9 is in the 'middle' cell.
Candidate elimination can also be used with three number in
three cells.

*note: Candidate elimination is note the fastest nor easiest

method for for finding the green cells answer. That is why one
must first scan before analyzing . I will try to find a better
example.

Step 4: Analysis (almost , I Think)

this one is almost like the candidate elimination i showed you in

the previous step(its called deriving certainty from uncertainty).

Take a look at the picture below.In the center region. There is

only two possible places for the 7(and 2). There is three places
for the seven in the middle right region , but can not be in the
middle ones because 7 is reserved by the center region thus
there is only one place let for the seven in the middle right
region.

Step 5: Xy-wing(This Is an Advanced Technique )

he xy wing is the most difficult technique i have tried because its
more difficult to spot it(and to teach :-)

You'll understand better if you check the pics. It works by

removing candidates.

the values in the blue squares will be assigned an x,y,z according

to the numbers. In this instructable x=8 ; z=2 ; y=9 The green
square with the redlining around it is a buddy(in the same
row,column or region) of the blue block with 8,9 and the blue
block 8,2. and the 9,2 blue block is an buddy of the 8,9 and 8,2
blue blocks. This means that 8(which is also in the two blue
buddy blocks). cannot be in the red lined block. If your not sure
why check the next picture.