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    The idea of Sudoku is to fill in the missing numbers in a grid of cells, that starts off looking something like this one:

    6
     
  3 8
  4  
3 8 7
    5
  8 7
2    
    1
2    
9 4  
     
    9
8 5 3
6    
     
  1 2
    9
6    
    3
8 5  
7    
5 2 8
  9  
5 2  
     
7    

There are only three rules:
  1. You must fill in a number 1 to 9 in each blank cell.
  2. Each row and each column, must end-up containing the numbers 1 through 9
  3. Each 3 X 3 block, must also end-up containing the numbers 1 through 9
By applying the rules and using a process of logical deduction, you can work out where each number goes (for well-formed Sudoku puzzles there is only one possible solution, and no guessing should be necessary).

For example:

    6
     
  3 8
  4  
3 8 7
    5
  8 7
2    
    1
2    
9 4  
     
    9
8 5 3
6    
     
  1 2
    9
6    
    3
8 5  
7    
5 2 8
  9  
5 2  
     
7    
  • You should notice the row and column marked in blue, both already contain an 8.

  • The bottom-middle 3 X 3 box, must contain an 8 somewhere in its box.

  • The only possible place for the 8 in the bottom-middle 3 X 3 box, is the cell marked in red... and thus we could fill in an 8 there.
Of course, this is just a simple example, and to complete Sudoku puzzles (particularly harder puzzles) many different types logical deductions will be required!

(You can read about the different techniques for solving Sudoku in The Ultimate Sudoku Guide, or if you prefer to watch videos, you could download Sudoku Strategies and Tips).

Anyway, when you've finished filling out the Sudoku, it will end-up like this - and you can verify for yourself that the solution does infact match all 3 rules.

5 2 6
1 9 4
7 3 8
9 4 1
3 8 7
2 6 5
3 8 7
2 6 5
9 4 1
2 6 1
9 4 7
3 8 5
4 7 9
8 5 3
6 1 2
8 5 3
6 1 2
4 7 9
6 1 9
4 7 3
8 5 2
7 3 4
5 2 8
1 9 6
5 2 8
1 9 6
7 3 4

Sudoku Strategies and Tips

 Available for download:
Click here for details
Imagine if you had access to all of a master Sudoku players' secrets? What if you could not only read - but actually "watch" the step-by-step methods to solving any Sudoku puzzle?

Now you can! With this amazing set of video downloads.

Click here for full description

The Ultimate Sudoku Guide

The Ultimate Sudoku GuideAvailable for download:
Click here for details
The Ultimate Sudoku Guide is a downloadable electronic book (eBook) that provides an easy-to-understand guide (with lots of graphics) to solving Sudoku puzzles.

Click here for full description


 
 
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