The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[DandRmom]

Today is the very first day I ever heard of Sudoku. It was in the Star-Ledger in NJ. I did the practice puzzle easily, but was upset because I had accidentally seen one of the numbers in the solution before solving (it was printed right next to the puzzle!!) Then I did the first "real" one they printed. It was rated very easy, and I have to say it was! Looking for a better challenge I did June's contest puzzle on this website. It was a bit harder but not too bad, so I was wondering what "level" I had done. I should add that I know nothing specific about logic, in terms of what the different official "techniques" are, but I have always been good at puzzles which require logic. Thanks!

[Pappocom]

The Contest puzzle on the Contest page is Easy.

- Wayne

[Roz]

Try The Times UK newspaper for more levels.

They rate, very easy as easy, easy as medium, and hard as fiendish, they don't have the very hard level which the program has.

[Pseudo Kiwi]

Is there consistency in the levels that different newspapers, programs, etc have?

The Times has Easy, Mild, Difficult and Fiendish. My local paper (NZ Herald) has Very Easy, Easy, Medium and Hard (and I think Very Hard as well on special occasions). The program has 5 or 6 different levels. Are all these levels "aligned"?

Roz - are you saying that there's actually a level above Fiendish?

PK

[Roz]

Roz - are you saying that there's actually a level above Fiendish? PK

Yes lol . I assume you haven't got the program? The very hard generated by the program are more difficult. The Times fiendish equate to the programs hard level rather than the very hard level!

[avaar]

The Contest puzzle on the Contest page is Easy.

- Wayne

OMG! you mean it gets harder than this? My first puzzle was the contest puzzle on your website. Pretty good - I'm hooked.

[scrose]

Pretty good - I'm hooked.

Hooray, another addict has joined our ranks! Welcome!

OMG! you mean it gets harder than this?

Yes, the "hard" and "very hard" puzzles live up to their descriptions. Download the software and try some more "easy" puzzles. Once you get the hang of those, graduate to the "mediums". Leave the "hards" and "very hards" until you're good and ready.

I made the mistake of trying to solve "very hard" after I had only played my first few puzzles. It left me quite discouraged until I sharpened my skills on easier puzzles.

[Domino]

I have only just discovered Sukoku yesterday and bought my first book! Is there a way of playing online against other people - that would be really fun and there could be different levels of play so that beginners could improve?