How To Solve Sudoku
You may be familiar with Sudoku puzzles. Sudoku may seem to be very difficult, the first time you try it, but many gamers find that with a systematic approach, Sudoku is not as difficult as it looks.
The objective of Sudoku is to complete the whole grid with the numbers 1 to 9. Depending on the level of the puzzle, it can be very simple and yet be very difficult. In order to solve the puzzle, the game requires the player to use a little logic and intense analysis.
You must also remember the rule for solving Sudoku: you must fill in each cell of the 9 x 9 grid with the numbers from 1 to 9. However, each of the numbers must only appear once in every row, every column and in every 3 x 3 block.
The fastest way to solve a Sudoku is to look for the possible numbers that can go in each row, column or cell. You can simply ask yourself what numbers could possibly go in each location. Once you place a number in a cell, no other cell in that row, column or block can take that number. In this way, it lessens the possible numbers in a cell.
Follow these seven steps to easily complete a Sudoku puzzle:
1. On a large pice of paper, make a grid consisting of 9 x 9 cells.
2. Using a pen, add all the given numbers to the grid. Then, using a pencil, write all of the numbers from 1 - 9 in each blank cell.
3. Remove all the pencilled numbers that don’t belong in a particular cell because there is already a number of the same value in the same row, column or 3×3 block.
4. Once you already know which of the nine numbers should not be in the cell, you can now decide what the possible numbers are. In some instances, there is only one choice left for the player. Do step 3 again using that number. While in other instances, you will need to search for possible numbers that should appear once in each row, each column and each block. As you identify the correct number for each cell, erase the other numbers in that cell, then repeat step 3.
5. There are chances that you might wind up with circumstances (such as you have already tried everything) there is more than a single choice. If this happens, this may become a bit difficult. If you are fortunate enough though, you can select any of the numbers and go on with steps 3 and then 4 again. This is usually a characteristic of an easy Sudoku, not the hard Sudoku, so be wary and alert.
6. Start looking for ‘twins’ and ‘triplets’. This is where there are two cells with the same two possibilities (twins) or three cells with the same three possibilities (triplets). Where you have a twin or a triplet, you can remove those numbers as possibilities from the other cells in that row, column and block. Then repeat step 4.
7. Lastly, always check for the result. A quick way to check: When you add all the numbers of each row, column or block the total must be 45.
At first the seven steps may seem to be very difficult to follow. However, read each step and try to analyze what it is trying to imply and you will realize that it is not as difficult as you may think it is.
Solving Sudoku, requires patience and careful thinking. Remember it is a number puzzle game, not a crossword. So, it can really be difficult… sometimes.
Related posts: