The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[Guest]

I like the idea that all the Times puzzles can be solved without resorting to trial and error, but having made decent progress with this puzzle, I cannot see how else I can progress...

Code: Select all

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


Any pointers, or obvious logic that I'm missing would be very welcome!

Thanks

[Chris]

I like the idea that all the Times puzzles can be solved without resorting to trial and error, but having made decent progress with this puzzle, I cannot see how else I can progress...

Code: Select all

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


Any pointers, or obvious logic that I'm missing would be very welcome!

Thanks

Here is something to get you moving again...

If you look in the bottom box in the left stack (this one..)

Code: Select all

------
4     |
    5 |   
6   7 |   



and work out which numbers can go where, you'll find that the only number which can go underneath the 4 and above the 6 is the number 1. If you also work out which numbers go in the bottom box in the middle stack, then knowing where the number one cannot go should also be a help. Hope this helps!

Chris.

[Guest]

If you look in the bottom box in the left stack (this one..)

Code: Select all

------
4     |
    5 |   
6   7 |   



and work out which numbers can go where, you'll find that the only number which can go underneath the 4 and above the 6 is the number 1. If you also work out which numbers go in the bottom box in the middle stack, then knowing where the number one cannot go should also be a help. Hope this helps!

It absolutely helps! All solved correctly now. Having been annoyed at being stuck, I'm now annoyed at having missed the obvious '1'!

Thanks for that though; it was the first 'difficult' one I've solved - I'll probably be back when I attack a 'fiendish' one...

Cheers,
Shakers

[Guest]

You could have looked at the middle box on the bottom row aswell

Code: Select all

| 6 5   |
|   9   |
|   8   |


You know where to put the 7 in that box.