The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[JFistere]

Stuck again

I learned a lot about locked numbers on my last help request. Thank you! However, I am up to #3 and stuck again:

Code: Select all

Sterling Second Degree Black Belt #3

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

15    2      34   | 145   6      7     | 138   348    9   
8     6      34   | 2     134    9     | 5     347    137
157   157    9    | 145   134    8     | 6     2      13   
------------------+--------------------+-------------------
9     134    5    | 1346  7      461   | 138   38     2
137   137    6    | 9     8      2     | 4     357    1357
2     1347   8    | 134   5      14    | 9     37     6   
------------------+--------------------+-------------------
356   3589   1    | 7     24     456   | 238   35689  358
56    589    7    | 168   12     3     | 28    5689   4
4     358    2    | 68    9      56    | 378   1      3578


I know the answer is in there somewhere!

Another question. I am getting pretty handy at filling in the numbers in a text file. However, I am wondering if there is a piece of software that makes it even easier to create the text file I need to post here.

Thanks,
John Fistere

[underquark]

Whoa! Why are there two 9s in r2 (or/and c7) in the (presumed) original grid? I see one of them changing to a 5 in the pencilmarks so I'm assuming a typo somewhere?

That aside (assume r2c7=5), there is a hidden pair (6,9) in column 8 and the 7 in column 7 can only be down at the bottom in r9c7. Now, the number of places for a 5 in column 9 are limited etc.

[JFistere]

Thank you. That was enough to get me going. After entering a few numbers, I thought I was stuck again, but just before sending another help request on the same puzzle, I checked one more time and was able to press on to the end.

Thanks!
John

[TKiel]

I am wondering if there is a piece of software...

There are many.

Once such program is Simple Sudoku. It's free.

Tracy

[JFistere]

Thanks! I had downloaded it some time time ago, but did not realize its value.

John