The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[InvertedSaint]

Hey, I'm kind of new to Sudoku. I've been doing them for a couple of weeks and have the whole checking lines thing down. However, the other day I was given a Sudoku by my mate, who asked me to solve it. Here is the Sudoku:

Code: Select all

-------------
|...|8.5|...|
|3.2|4.1|5.7|
|.9.|...|.1.|
-------------
|2..|.4.|..9|
|..6|...|8..|
|7..|.6.|..5|
-------------
|.1.|...|.5.|
|9.3|5.6|4.2|
|...|3.4|...|
-------------


Now, after applying basic techniques, I got:

Code: Select all

-------------
|...|8.5|...|
|3.2|491|5.7|
|.9.|6..|.1.|
-------------
|2..|.4.|..9|
|..6|.5.|8..|
|7.9|.6.|..5|
-------------
|.1.|...|.5.|
|9.3|516|4.2|
|...|3.4|...|
-------------


I've tried to use solving problems to do this, but they never actually tell me how they're doing what they're doing. Could someone please explain how such a puzzle can be solved.

BTW, I know it's a fair bit advanced for me, but I still want to give it a shot.

[angusj]

Could someone please explain how such a puzzle can be solved.

http://angusj.com/sudoku/hints.php

[simes]

or www.sadmansoftware.com/sudoku/techniques.htm

[scrose]

There are two cells in column 2 that can be filled, one after the other, by looking for hidden singles.
Next, look at where the 6's could go in column 1; make an elimination.
Next, look for a pair in column 1 and make some eliminations.
You can now fill a cell in row 7.

Please reply if you need hints that are more specific.