The rules for sudoku are basically very simple. A square of 9×9 cells must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 without repetition in any horizontal or vertical line. To make things a little more difficult for you, Nine 3×3 boxes are marked on the grid. The numbers may not repeat in these boxes either.
The beginner-level Sudoku puzzles help you get started by filling in many correct numbers in advance. The higher the level, the fewer numbers are pre-filled and therefore the more difficult the puzzle becomes.
Here are five tips that can help you, as a beginner, solve your first Sudoku puzzles:
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Tip1: Look for the most obvious solutions first
Don’t make it too difficult for yourself when you just begin playing Sudoku and therefore always start with the most obvious solutions to solve the puzzle. The beginner level of Sudoku puzzles leaves one empty square in some diagonal or vertical lines or two empty squares in a 3×3 square.
For example, a line may be missing a 2 and a 3, but a 3×3 box along that line already has a 3, so you know that this empty box must be a 2 and the other box must be a 3. The same can be true for one or two missing numbers in the smaller boxes. Filling in these boxes will help you solve other empty boxes.
Tip 2: Find the missing numbers in a 3×3 box
Once you fill in the most obvious solutions, you can easily find other missing numbers that are easy to solve. In the example above, the box now has a 2, and that can help you solve that 3×3 area or it can help you solve the diagonal or vertical lines that cross that area.
Because every number you add gives you new insights into both the 3×3 box and the adjacent horizontal and vertical lines.
Tip 3: Keep scanning the entire puzzle regularly
Make sure you consistently shift your focus from an empty box to the 3×3 boxes, the diagonal and horizontal lines, and the entire puzzle. So if you get stuck as a beginner, don’t concentrate too hard on one detail of the whole grid. That will only make it harder to solve the puzzle. Run your gaze over the Sudoku puzzle to find another spot on the grid with new possibilities.
This is the fun of Sudoku for many novice but also experienced players. You keep looking for an entrance to move forward and once you have entered another number, new possibilities always arise. Remember that every Sudoku puzzle can always be solved. Every time you place a new number, see if it offers possibilities and solutions for a new diagonal or vertical row or a 3×3 box. It can limit the possibilities or make another number obvious. Keep asking yourself which numbers you are missing in a line or a 3×3 grid and you will always find a solution.
Tip 4: Take notes or highlight possibilities
Puzzle Book: If you’re using a traditional Sudoku puzzle book, jot down potential numbers in the corners of the boxes if you’re unsure. This will provide a clear overview of the potential options for each box, aiding in the process of elimination. However, ensure it remains organized to avoid confusion.
SudokuX App: For those who prefer digital puzzling with the SudokuX app, utilize the digital note-taking feature. This allows you to easily mark potential numbers and remove them once you’re sure of your choice. The advantage of the app is that your notes remain neat and organized, simplifying the puzzle-solving process.
Using notes, whether on paper or digitally, can significantly enhance your strategy and assist you as a beginner in solving even the most challenging Sudokus.
Tip 5: Be patient and enjoy the search
As with old-fashioned cardboard image puzzles, the goal is to enjoy the challenge. Of course, you want to find the solution and complete the puzzle, but remember that you started the game for fun and relaxation.
Bonus tip: Did you know that when you play Sudoku you train your brain in different ways to stay young and vital? But if you find yourself getting frustrated, stop playing for a moment. Go do something else and try to solve the Sudoku puzzle again later. The most important thing is to have fun, isn’t it?