Sudoku Puzzles – Tips Solving The Numerical Enigma
The game that has taken the world by storm – especially America – is none other than Sudoku.
Yes, the age of the Rubik’s Cube is finally over and its enthusiasts are now duly converted to the mental challenge of a more stimulating game of abstract logic, called Sudoku, which has no age or gender bias when it comes to the excitement it generates in people!
Involving a grid that is 9×9 (it is sometimes referred to as this also) with squares and columns that need to have numbers 1-9 placed in them strategically so that no number is ever repeated and in sync with the pre-entered numbers, Sudoku requires clear, careful thinking and loads of patience to get a grasp on. Once the easy and light levels of the game have been learned, it is just a matter of time and practice before the player can move up to the next levels i.e. moderately hard, hard, difficult or very difficult.
It is easy to access the game of Sudoku as entire books, magazines and even newspaper columns are dedicated to this national craze. There are even websites and printed text available for the avid Sudoku player that can be bought or borrowed or better still, indulged in at no cost – for free downloads and printables make the task of playing free Sudoku games easy!
Sudoku puzzles may have a large 9 x 9 grid that holds within it nine 3 x 3 tiny squares that need to have numbers 1 to 9 entered by the player into each of the squares; you need not add these, but you do have to look at rows and columns to ensure no number is repeated and each number from 1 to 9 appears at least once in each row and each 3x3grid.
The pre-entered numbers in the 9×9 grid are what increases the challenge and difficulty of playing the game as the player must base his or her judgment of what numbers to enter on these.
These are the basic rules of playing the game of Sudoku. Search for the helper numbers that act as clues to the rest of the game: you can think deeply on the numbers given in the first puzzle; suppose there are many 3’s in the first puzzle, and then you look into the 3×3 box to see if the same number is there. After this, check other places where 3 appears and remember to check if it only appears once in the rows and columns. This will help you know where the other 3’s must appear, so slowly skim over in an imaginary line the places where 3’s should appear once each in every 3 x 3 box, row and column.
These are called possibilities and once you’ve got these covered you stand a better chance of solving the puzzle correctly and fast.
By the time you are done with filling in numbers 1-9 in the grid of rows and columns and you have only 2 left in either row or column, you can use the elimination method to judge where to place these. Best of luck!
Abhishek is an avid Sudoku enthusiast and he has got some great Sudoku Solving Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 77 Pages Ebook, “How To Become An Expert At Sudoku” from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/107/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
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