Soduku

[druiaghtagh]

I have just started doing this puzzle, has anybody any tips please. How i do it is, write in each cell numbers possible in small characters as a process of elimination, but find that i have a large number of these, must be an easire way, ay help appreciated, thankyou

[Jules001]

I do these puzzles too and I also write the possible numbers in the cells. I think this is quite a normal practice and is recommended in order to solve them. Sometimes you can have quite a few in one cell which can complicate things, but as long as you are diligent about crossing them through when it is known that they cannot be possible, it is generally ok. I tend to now do the one online at http://www.mousebreaker.com as then I don't have to faff around with pen and paper. (I find the cells too small for my writing and generally copy it into Word and then enlarge and print out)

[incognito]

One way I have found to make it easier , if you are doing it at home, is to copy the grid on to your computer making a 9x9 table in "Word", then type all the possibilities into each square.

They are then easy to see and you can easily delete those numbers that are clearly not possible . It also helps if you differentiate by using a different font or colour for those numbers that are possible, those that are definite and those that were originally provided

[johnalex]

Whoever invented this puzzle should be shot at dawn.  I too have become a Soduku-holic and now need a daily fix.  Like yourself, quite logically, I was entering alternative choices within each box (never more than 3) until I stumbled on a key to enable me to backtrack and delete my earlier guesses.  I'd get there in the end but oh what a mess!  Like my algebra homework . . .  Now I've stopped writing in 'alternatives' and stare at the blank grid until I find my first number, imagining I'm in a prison cell with one blunt pencil. This technique is working for me  -  neater to look at and I'm now getting faster.  Sometimes I freeze when 2 identical numbers turn up in the same group (meaning that I've made an earlier mistake, often overlooking a GIVEN number!!)  How sad.  When this happens I admit defeat and move on to the crossword.  1 - 0 to Soduko. I've recently discovered a couple of other methods which I am happy to share with you next time.  This message already too long!  Regards, johnalex.

[Silkypuss]

Can't register, but will try to 'attach' my 'Excel' spreadsheet which seems to make it a lot easier.

[johnalex]

Hi Druiaghtagh  -  I promised I'd get back to you.  Try this idea to get you off to a FAST START!  Only write in ONE FINAL CORRECT solution into each cell. We're not interested in alternatives at this stage. Concentrate on ROWS instead of panels (3x3). I find HORIZONTALS easier on the eye, starting from the BASELINE, working up. Now select a 'busy' number, that's been used 4 or 5 times. I shall use today's Express as an example, No.8 appears 5 times.  Starting NOW... Row1, Row2, Row3! BULLSEYE!, time taken 30 seconds, Rows4-9 negative.  Back to the Baseline... now choosing No.7, also features 5 times... Row1, Row2! BULLSEYE!! (Under a minute so far) Row3, Row4, Row5, Row6! BULLSEYE!!! Row7, Row8. Now using No.6 (featured 3 times)... Rows1-8 negative, don't lose heart, Row9! BULLSEYE!!!!  So we have FOUR HITS in TWO MINUTES.  Now you can either carry on in this way or tackle the panels, at least you've got started.  Just remember that any one number only appears 9 times in the whole grid.  So I tell myself I've got 9 tasks, rather than 81. This is a combination of lateral thinking and cowardice  -  try it!  Regardz, ja