| Doing a puzzle is a popular pastime in all parts of the | | | | Sudoku is, the less chance you have of starting the |
| world. During breaks, on buses and trains, you often | | | | game easily. |
| see someone busily solving 'Sudoku' puzzles in | | | | 2. In solving an easy Sudoku, the first thing you must |
| newspapers, magazines or books. It is an excellent | | | | keep in mind is to look for the 'possibilities'. 'Possibilities' |
| way to pass time while at the same time honing and | | | | are the numbers that are possible. Beginning at 1, make |
| sharpening your mental skills. | | | | an imaginary line on the boxes in the 1's row and |
| One of the most popular puzzles is Sudoku. It is an | | | | column. When only one box is left in the nine-square |
| addictive number puzzle game that is taking the whole | | | | block, you will know that it is a 'Possibility'. |
| world by storm. It has fast become one of the most | | | | 3. Carefully work through the numbers until the number |
| famous puzzle games ever created. | | | | 9. Since you have already placed some of the |
| What is Sudoku? | | | | numbers, this will help you work out other numbers, |
| Although on the surface Sudoku looks like a numbers | | | | which have more possibilities. |
| game, the puzzle is actually solved using logical skills. | | | | 4. If you are trapped, go back and look at the other |
| It is a puzzle played on a 9 x 9 grid divided into nine | | | | numbers. You are sure to have missed something on |
| equal squares. The objective of the puzzle is to place | | | | the puzzle. When you find it that is where you start |
| the numbers from 1 to 9 in the grid. Each number must | | | | again. If in the process you still cannot find the "missing |
| appear only once in every row and column, and in 3 x | | | | number", begin by labelling each block with every |
| 3 squares. | | | | number that has the possibility to be in the box. |
| A Sudoku puzzle game begins with a set of numbers | | | | The Basic Technique for Solving an Easy Sudoku. |
| already placed in the puzzle. These are called 'Given | | | | The basic technique most players use when trying to |
| Numbers'. The 'Given Numbers' determine the level of | | | | solve an easy Sudoku, is to go through every number, |
| complexity of the puzzle, and where they're placed. | | | | trying to place as many numbers as the puzzle |
| The puzzle can be simple or very difficult. | | | | permits. You have to observe the numbers on the |
| If you haven't tried solving a Sudoku puzzle yet, I | | | | rows and columns to make sure that there are no |
| suggested that you begin with an easy one first. When | | | | duplicate numbers present. |
| you buy a puzzle book, the different levels are shown | | | | If you are working your way through the numbers 1 to |
| as easy, moderately hard or very difficult. Most | | | | 9, be sure to go through the same process again. |
| newspapers print Sudoku puzzle games. Many of | | | | Then, look at the squares to find the numbers you can |
| them publish the easier ones on Mondays and | | | | use to prevent other numbers from filling in. |
| Tuesdays, and as the week progresses they get | | | | Try to train your mind to look at the numbers in all 3 x |
| more difficult. | | | | 3 boxes, columns or rows. In this way, you can easily |
| How to Solve an Easy Sudoku? | | | | spot the missing numbers you need in each 3 x 3 |
| For beginners, here are some helpful steps for solving | | | | boxes, columns or rows. |
| the easy Sudoku. Follow each step carefully and you | | | | Finally, if it is your first attempt at solving a Sudoku |
| will have a better chance of solving the puzzle. | | | | puzzle, be patient. It may be an easy Sudoku but it |
| 1. Think carefully and cleverly. As you already know, | | | | may not be as simple as you think. It requires great |
| you cannot have two numbers the same in each row, | | | | logical skills and careful thinking in order to complete the |
| column or 3 x 3 boxes. You can use this to get other | | | | puzzle. |
| numbers in the series. Remember the more difficult the | | | | |