The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[rep123max]

What is a "good" time (in your opinion) for solving a hard Sudoku puzzle?

[george-no1]

That would depend on what type of puzzle you are referring to (e.g Pappocom hard, The Times Difficult etc.), and how you solve it (pen+paper, on computer with automated pencilmarks etc.) If you explain your parameters it would make it easier/more useful when I (or anyone else) give(s) an answer.

G

[rep123max]

In my case, its Pappacom hard and I use pen and paper (usually) but I don't use scratch work (by that, I mean the only thing I write on the paper are the numbers).

Thanks.

[george-no1]

OK well I aim to do that in 15-20 minutes on a good day, but realisticly, most take somewhere around 20-25 unless I use pencilmarks (pencilling in the possible candidates), in which case 15 minutes is about average for me. What about you?

G

[rep123max]

Well I just started a week ago, but my times vary. Some puzzles will just stump me, while other hard ones I have completed in about 25 or so minutes. One more question, can every puzzle be solved with out guessing (i.e., on some puzzles, I have been forced to assume that one square is a certain number and let that lead me to a contradiction or a correct move, is that "legal?")

[george-no1]

What you've described would probably be guessing, so no, that's not really legal. Every Pappocom puzzle can be solved using (relatively simple) logic only. Trial and error (not the quite same as guessing) is never needed, and guessing is not needed either.

G