The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[G]

I'm completely stuck on the NY Post Su Doku entry #2 for their tournament- I don't believe this resolves to an answer..
Original Puzzle:

[(-,-,-)(-,-,-)(6,7,-)]
[(-,-,5)(-,-,-)(-,-,8)]
[(7,-,-)(9,4,-)(-,-,-)]

[(-,9,2)(3,-,-)(-,-,-)]
[(8,-,-)(-,-,-)(-,-,1)]
[(-,-,-)(-,-,6)(9,5,-)]

[(-,-,-)(-,2,5)(-,-,3)]
[(1,-,-)(-,-,-)(5,-,-)]
[(-,4,6)(-,-,-)(-,-,-)]


I've solved it this far:

[(2,-,9)(5,-,-)(6,7,4)]
[(4,-,5)(-,6,-)(-,9,8)]
[(7,6,-)(9,4,-)(-,3,5)]

[(6,9,2)(3,5,1)(8,4,7)]
[(8,5,-)(-,-,-)(3,6,1)]
[(3,-,-)(-,-,6)(9,5,2)]

[(9,-,-)(6,2,5)(4,1,3)]
[(1,2,3)(-,-,-)(5,8,6)]
[(5,4,6)(-,-,-)(7,2,9)]


I can't go any further without guessing at an answer.. and even guessing (when it's {8,7} in row 7 col 2, and I pick either), it locks up and has a double. Anybody got anything on this? (-'s are blanks)
-G

[george-no1]

Look at column 5, there should be two doubles. One of these doubles allows you to make a placement at r6c5.

Hope this helps,

G

[george-no1]

Sorry, that clue doesn't particularly help with the rest of the puzzle. After you've made that placement, a double in column 6 should help you to make another placement at r3c6, and after that the puzzle opens up.

G

[Pappocom]

This is a competition puzzle, isn't it? For a prize? Still going on?

I'm not going to censor this site or this topic, but I would hope people will show restraint in providing the answer to the puzzle, while the competition is current. (Not a critiicism of george-no1, who not being a New Yorker - I think! - wasn't aware of the situation).

Likewise, it might not be best to even ask questions like this, about competition puzzles, while the contest is in progress.

- Wayne

[george-no1]

I'm sorry if I've done something wrong (although Pappocom's post suggests I haven't - I'm not a New Yorker), but the way I see it, if person A helps person B, the information (illegal or otherwise) is person B's responsibility, having asked for help in the first place.

G

[G]

I'm not asking for someone to finish my homework and hand it in as me. It's not like I'm trying to hide what this is in any way- the subject alone details it out. There's no rule that says you can't ask for help in figuring out whether or not the solution exists. This isn't even for the tournament- it's to get into a tournament. I don't need it because you only need 4 of 5 correct.. but so far I want to know what I'm doing wrong with this particular one.

Thanks for the advice- I will try a little later on.. this is a current tournament entry open to all (I'm not in NY either)- I'm not asking for the answer- I'm asking whether or not anyone can get this puzzle to resolve to a single unique answer. Under the current definition of Su Doku, if it doesn't, this isn't a Su Doku.. What good would it do me in a real tournament to have this answer if I can't solve for it?

-G

[george-no1]

I understand your position, and Pappocom does as well otherwise he would have deleted my post.

G

[simes]

G,

Yes, it resolves to a single answer without T&E, and without anything too complicated. (I don't think that is too much help?)

If you want to get into the tournament, you'd better read up on some techniques!

S

[Pappocom]

I understand your position, and Pappocom does as well otherwise he would have deleted my post.

Exactly so.

- Wayne