Beyond Sudoku: kakuro, hanjie and other Japanese logic puzzles

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Now you try! See if you can deduce what number goes in the red slot. Solve the blue square by using the surrounding squares to find you answer. This is "Oldbird" aka Sue (usually post here as Sue but obv forgot myself when replying to this thread). Speaking of squares, let’s solve one and walk through it. Now keep in mind, every column, row, and square has 1 through 9 in it. So let’s use that to our advantage. First we will find where the number 1 fits. Rule Out Impossible Numbers For lovers of logic, Beyond Sudoku features an inspirational range of fascinating puzzles from Japan and closer to home. An ever-evolving magazine, the contents vary from issue to issue, as new puzzles are introduced. Expect to find puzzles such as Bridges, Kakuro, Slitherlink, Futoshiki, Dominoes and Battleships. Sudoku puzzles, in spite of their Japanese sounding name, was originally developed for publication in French newspapers in the late 19th century as a variation of more common magic number puzzles. The puzzle was refined and took its modern form in the United States in the later part of the 20th century, and became a world-wide phenomena after computer generated Sudoku puzzles became common around 2004.

That's right - in Labyrinth puzzles you need to create a valid maze on a square grid. You're given a set of Hanjie clues which give you the length of the various wall segments in the square maze. It's a long time since I solved one and I don't have a copy handy, but I seem to remember that you need to find a maze with a single path solution that covers every square of the grid. (So not really a maze at all - more a very windy path!). The interest comes from combining Hanjie-style solving with reasoning about keeping the maze all connected together, so it is a little bit like Slitherlink in that respect I suppose. They're quite fun, so long as you don't mind something a little fiddly since you're solving two things at once - the walls and the maze solution, and both involve drawing lines so you need to distinguish between them carefully (and your 'not here' markings) as you go. (It's one of those puzzles where the side of your hand goes grey from all the pencil!) If that looks impossible to you, don’t worry! I’m going to show you how to solve this very challenging Sudoku puzzle. Let’s put our reasoning skills to the test. Let us also use the rules of the game against itself. Take this first square for example. 1 through 9, we are missing 2, 5, and 9. Let us try and solve for 2. Sudoku is a type of logic puzzle that requires you to fill in digits on a 9x9 grid. The grid starts out with some positions populated and your job is to fill in the remainder. The numbers must meet certain criteria, specifically that the same digit cannot occur more than once in any column or more than once in any row. Additionally, you'll notice the sudoku grid is divided into 9 squares, each 3x3, and a digit can also only occur within these squares. I will also regularly buy printed issue of Sudoku Extra, it was kindof stupid of me to buy the online issue, since I don't have a working printer now!

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When we cross out the rows and columns that already have 7 in them, we see the red square has two open slots available in the SAME column. Note that this square is missing three numbers, 3, 4, and 8. We will start by asking if 3 goes here. Starting out, you will find the level 1 and 2 puzzles will be fun to complete with a few challenges. Level 3 and 4 puzzles provide lots of challenges and will take some time, thought, and a broad look at the puzzle to solve.

I've never actually tried the labyrinth puzzles, but they are not the same as the maze a pix. You start with a blank grid and from number clues outside the grid you get to mark in the hedges/walls and so create your own labyrinth - the logic used is similar to that in hanjie I think, though I'm sure Sue will be able to tell you more. Whether you are new, or you thought that learning Sudoku was impossible, you have come to the right place. This will be a thorough walkthrough so you can fully grasp how the game functions. In addition I have bought a lot of puzzles books (the thing with me is that when I get hooked on something, I buy it in large quantities). Tip 2: Break the grid up visually into 3 columns and 3 rows. Each large column will have 3, 3×3 grids and each row will have 3, 3×3 grids. Now, look for columns or grids that have 2 of the same number. Logically, there must be a 3rd copy of the same number in the only remaining 9-cell section. Look at each of the remaining 9 positions and see if you can find the location of the missing number.When we expand our view and identify satisfied criteria, we can formulate other accurate answers that will lead to the entire puzzle being solved. Did it work? Now let’s try your method on 4. Find the correct slot for 4 by looking at the other squares for data just like we did for 1, 2, and 3.

Hard Killer Sudoku levels have the same rules as any other level, the only difference is very few numbers on the grid from the beginning. This makes the game pretty hardcore and requires longer playing time to fill out all the numbers. It’s definitely a great fit for players who have had enough of the classic sudoku and want to step up their game. “Minimum and Maximum” strategyIf you can use everything you have learned through these instructions, you can solve this puzzle! This will take a little time to complete. By placing 5 in this slot we have satisfied this column, square, and row. Let’s see if we can find all the 5’s for this puzzle. Start looking for clear answers, and then move on to this new elimination technique. If not, start again and try a different method. There are several different ways to reach the answer. Also, skim ahead and see if you can find a pattern to these puzzles. They will reveal themselves as the puzzle is being solved. Do you find yourself making these comments? Then you have found the perfect guide to Sudoku for beginners (and experienced players who really want to master Sudoku).

There are many more complex strategies for eliminating potential numbers, but most strategies rely on these simple means of exclusion and thinking one or two steps ahead in the search to see if the solution fits. This slightly non-deterministic approach to problem solving is one of the characteristics of sudoku puzzles that makes solving them so addictive. History of Sudoku This has led newspapers to publish new variants of the puzzle: “Killer sudoku”, “Samurai sudoku ” and “Hyper sudoku” to name a few. More interestingly, some have introduced entirely new kinds of logic puzzles. With simple rules, exotic Japanese names and plenty of marketing behind them, could one of these upstart brainteasers supplant sudoku as king of logic puzzles? Crosswords with numbers A useful technique to master hard killer Sudoku levels is trying to predict the numbers in a cage. No need for a crystal ball here, it’s not as hard as it seems. If you have a cage with the value of 3, you know for sure that it’s only 1 and 2 that can be inside. The same goes for 4 as a sum of 3+1 (2+2 breaks the rule of not repeating the numbers). We will need to enhance our skills to be able to complete this level. We are going to see how every number, 1 through 9, satisfies three criteria each time it is placed. And how knowing which criteria is satisfied and which is not, can be quite useful to us.Not since Rubik's Cube invaded Britain in the Eighties has the country been so transfixed by a new style of puzzle. And while thousands of us opted for the screwdriver approach then, there's no easy way out this time."