The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[Guest]

Has anyone solved today's puzzle? I can't get past this stage. Any hints?

4 6 * | 1 * 8 | * 2 *
* * * | 4 7 6 | 1 * *
* * 1 | 9 * 2 | 4 * *
-----------------------
8 * * | 5 * 4 | * * 1
* * * | * 1 7 | * * 4
6 1 4 | 8 9 3 | 7 5 2
-----------------------
* * 6 | 7 4 9 | 5 * *
* 4 * | 3 8 5 | 2 * *
* 3 * | * * 1 | * 4 *

[Guest]

Hi sorry I don't have any clues for you because I lost my puzzle during the day and I was wondering if you could please tell me the starting numbers so I can help you because Im sure I was further than this earlier. Thanks.

[Guest]

Hello Tom, I got it from the web...

www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18209-1529640,00.html

{ the above link is broken, i have added the following as a replacement: }

[Guest]

I'm one of the sad guys that has written a program to solve these puzzles. I couldn't work out where to go from there either, so I tried running it through my program, and it stopped in the same place too, so you are not alone - though that's not to say it's good company! I hate to say it, but in the end I had to resort to making two guesses (both of which where a 50% chance, and both of which I got wrong the first time, of course!).

[malcolmr]

My software, which has solved every other published times puzzle also gets stuck at the same point. I have enlisted the help of my son who is studying maths at university and he cannot find any logic to solve it. this may well be that puzzle which cannot be solved without assuming a value.

[Kate]

Hi

Re: Times 18 March

I also got stuck at the same point and had to use trial and error twice. I thought my usual method was pretty reliable but it just didn't seem to be able to get me any further today. Can anyone supply any hints as to how they (legitimately) got past this point?

Thanks

[simes]

<boast-kindof>my program will give the answer - but it uses trial and error after simple logic fails</boast-kindof>

I'd really like to understand the logic so I can improve my program.

[Guest]

Well at least I don't feel quite so thick now. Normally I can do these without help, but I've now spent another hour or two dumbly staring at it and getting nowhere. I'm sure once upon a time I did something with my Friday nights! Maybe our noble administrator can come to the rescue?

BTW what time zone is this site in? Everything seems to be marked a couple of hours ahead.

[simes]

It says it's in GMT - do you have reason to doubt?

[Guest]

Your post says 2:37am on my screen - what time does your watch say?

[simes]

Now it's 00:40. UK. GMT

[Guest]

No don't go getting clever with me - They taught me to read clock at scool, I'm sure 2:40 and 0:40 aren't the same. Are they?

[simes]

Clever? I've never been accused of that before. For 00:40 read 12:40 am. I think. Or now nearly ten to one in the morning.

[Guest]

So the time shown against the messages isn't GMT then?

[Guest]

I've just noticed a little note on the screen saying all times are GMT + 2. Now why would that be? Anyway, I'm off to bed. Hopefully our man Wayne will have an answer in the morning (about the puzzle I mean, not the time!).