How to Play Sudoku

Basic Rules

Sudoku is played on a 9×9 grid divided into 3×3 boxes. The objective is to fill the grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes contains all of the digits from 1 to 9 exactly once.

Getting Started

1. The puzzle begins with some cells already filled with numbers.
2. Your goal is to fill in the empty cells with numbers from 1 to 9.
3. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3×3 box.
4. Use logic to determine which numbers go where - no guessing required!

Solving Techniques

• Scanning: Look for rows, columns, and boxes with just one or two empty cells.
• Elimination: Identify which numbers are already present in related rows, columns, and boxes to determine what can go in an empty cell.
• Pencil Marks: Use small notations to keep track of possible numbers for each cell.
• Singles: Find cells that can only contain one possible number.

Difficulty Levels

Sudoku puzzles come in various difficulty levels:

• Easy: Many cells are pre-filled, requiring basic techniques.
• Medium: Fewer pre-filled cells, requiring more advanced techniques.
• Hard: Minimal pre-filled cells, requiring complex solving strategies.
• Expert: Very few pre-filled cells, requiring advanced logical deduction.

Tips for Beginners

• Start with easy puzzles to learn the basic techniques.
• Focus on one section of the grid at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Use a pencil (or the notes feature in digital puzzles) to mark possible numbers in each cell.
• Look for "forced moves" where only one number can go in a particular cell.
• Be patient and methodical - Sudoku is about logical deduction, not guessing.