The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[Tim]

I'm stuck on today's puzzle. I've got this far but can't see the next move.
Can anyone help me?

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

[Pappocom]

Hello Tim.

I'll call by on Sunday and see if you need help. It's a bit early to be really stuck yet!

Of course, others might choose to give you some help earlier than that. They are free to do so... but if anyone does, just a hint perhaps? - not a complete expose.

- Wayne

[simes]

The possibilities remaining in block 6 tells you something about what must be in the centre cell in block 5.

... or is that not vague enough?

[shakers]

Having the the recipient of Wayne's kindly hints before, I think this one is suitably vague!

[braychurchmouse]

Just a question to boost my ego (or not ) !!!

I'm the sort who tries anything once (usually just the once)...so when someone talked the other day about Sudoku I thought I'd try it. Unfortunately yesterday's Times was "fiendish" but I thought I'd have a go anyway.

It reminded me of the time I tried to solve Rubik's cube...took me 2 days..never again.

I started from scratch with No 94 (17th March)...didn't know there were "hints and tips" on the web site, but slowly I evolved a few processes. Took me 2 hours.

So my question is... can I pat myself on the back...or is it rather a pathetic effort??? for a complete beginner that is.

...and imagine my pleasure in checking the solution this morning!!!

But never again...what a complete and utter waste of time...and all just to prove that I could do it.

[Tim]

Thank you for your vague hint!!

I have now completed the puzzle, not believing how I did not notice that the 7 in block 6 could only go on the top row & therefore a 7 had to go in the middle cell of block 5. Once I had done that, the rest was fairly simple.

Now on to today's puzzle!!

[simes]

A pleasure. Perhaps you can now give me a hint, cos I can't complete it.

Code: Select all

8.27.1.3.
.1...4.2.
...2.917.
.86123.9.
193475286
.2.8963.1
.31..2...
.483.7..2
27...8..3

What's the next step?

[Tim]

Look in the top left block.

I write in the boxes all the possibilities that can go in each cell and find it really helps. You should be able to deduce which number goes in the bottom right corner of block 1, just by looking in that block.

Hope I was vague enough?!!

[simes]

Yes. Too vague. Perhaps when I sober up, I'll see the logic, but at the mo, it eludes me. (Perhaps it'll elude me when I'm sober too? Oh no! I might be an idiot!)

Anyone want to give a more concrete hint? Like a x,y (or r,c - I'm flexible) coordinnate - and a reason why?

[Tim]

Ok if you look at the top left block which looks like this:

8 * 2
* 1 *
* * *

The 2 numbers above & below the 1 have to be 5 & 6 (but we don't know yet which way round - but that doesn't matter yet) as they are the only two numbers left to be put into column 2.

Also by simple elimination you can work out that only a 4 or a 5 can go in the bottom right corner of this block. But since the 5 has to go in the centre column of this block the 4 therefore is the only number left to go in the bottom right corner.

Hope this helps

[simes]

Gotcha. Ta! I think!

[braychurchmouse]

I realise that my comment was rather offensive, for which I apologise to all you experts. Of course what I meant was that I was just sitting there trying to massage my ego instead of digging the garden, writing a novel or finding a cure for the common cold.

Nevertheless my question remains...did I do well at my first attempt? or was it rather pathetic? (ie Times No 94 March 17th "fiendish" in 2 hrs not knowing any of the "hints and tips" or processes you experts use ).... I am eager to know.

Thanks in advance to any responders.

[braychurchmouse]

I realise that this thread is rather ancient by now....but do I conclude from the lack of response to my question in an earlier post that you are all too busy solving Sudoku puzzles to set my mind at rest? I can only conclude that 2 hrs for a complete beginner on a "fiendish" is really not very good and certainly not worth a comment from the fraternity??? Pity...I was rather pleased with myself.

[shakers]

I realise that this thread is rather ancient by now....but do I conclude from the lack of response to my question in an earlier post that you are all too busy solving Sudoku puzzles to set my mind at rest? I can only conclude that 2 hrs for a complete beginner on a "fiendish" is really not very good and certainly not worth a comment from the fraternity??? Pity...I was rather pleased with myself.

I would have said that 2 hours for your first fiendish wasn't at all bad! I can't remember how long my first one took (probably over two hours knowing me...), but solving Sudokus is certainly something you'll get faster at! I think a fiendish now takes me 20-30 minutes.

[braychurchmouse]

Thanks Shakers. That's a tough target to reach!!