The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[Guest]

Having become addicted to Sudoku, my wife and l have x-wings off pat, and graduated to the very hard puzzles, most of which we are able to finish. Some involve a couple of things close to trial and error, but never mind......

This one, however is a stinker! No 'gimmes', in fact no progress at all!

1**][**4][***
85*][**1][**3
*4*][*9*][***
----------------
**2][**3][*8*
**8][***][1**
*1*][4**][6**
----------------
***][*5*][*6*
3**][9**][*58
***][6**][**2

Help us, please!!!!!!!

[Animator]

Is that the starting grid? and/or are you sure all your moves so far are correct?

[Animator]

This is a better hint: look at box 8.

Missing numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Possibilities:

r7c4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8
r7c6: 2, 7, 8
r8c5: 1, 2, 4, 7
r8c6: 2, 7
r9c5: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
r9c6: 7, 8

Two things you can view: 1, 3, 4 can only go in r7c4, r8c5, or r9c5, this meaning that the 2, the 7 and the 8 can be removed from these cells (as possible candidates)

Another view: r7c6, r8c6 and r9c6: these three can only have the number 2, 7 or 8, so you can remove them from the other cells.

When you do this you will see something intresting in box 5 (the number 8)

[Guest]

Thanks, Animator

Its funny how you can look at these for so long and miss the (reasonably) obvious! Followed your advice having come home from our occasional poker night to find your reply and it worked out fine