We've now filled six of the nine squares on the game grid. Next, we need to address the empty cells in squares #2, #3 and #8.
How to play Sudoku next? Let's take a look at the top row of squares. We're going to focus on the second row, which turned out to be pretty well filled. The numbers are 7, 2, 8, 3, 4 and 9. That means we have six numbers out of nine. That's a good start. We just need to figure out where to put the missing 1, 5 and 6.
Just to flag up that the six is in the centre square (bottom row, 4-6-8) and the right column (1-9-3-4-7-8). So, by elimination, we can say that 6 will go in the penultimate empty cell of the row (i.e. the centre of square #3).
The second line has been given a makeover. The new version has 7-2-8-3-pobel-4-9-pobel-6. We just need to figure out where to put 1 and 5. Let's take a look at the columns and see that the centre column already has a 5 (3-2-6-8-8-4-5). So, we can only put one in the centre of square #2. We need to move the five to the end of the second row. So, the line looks like 7-2-8-3-1-4-9-9-5-5-6.
Once you've filled in the second line from above, it's easier to work with squares (and other things too).
Hanging fruit is back in business
Square number three in the top right-hand corner is almost full. It's made up of 4, 1, space, 9, 6, 5, 5, 7, 7, 3, space. It's also worth noting that the numbers 2 and 8 are missing. Looking at the squares and rows, it seems there's no room for the twos and eights yet.
That's fine! Did you have any luck with the squares? Let's take a look at the rows and columns! We need to use the hanging fruit technique again to look for the simplest areas. Let's take a look at what's going on in square #2 in the centre column. It looks like the sequence is 1-3-2-6-6-8-8-4-5. That means we need to fit the remaining 7 and 9 into the column. We take a look at the top horizontal line and see that there's already a 9 there (5-3-9-propel-propel-propel-propel-4-1-propel).
So, we pop the 7 in at the top centre of square #2 and move the 9 down. Thanks to this move, we're almost done with square #2. It looks like it should be space-7-space-3-1-1-4-space-9-space. We figured out that there should be values 2, 5, 6 and 8 in square #2 by eliminating other possibilities. We then look at which numbers are next to each other. For instance, it's pretty obvious that 5 is on the top row of square #1. So, we can put 5 in the bottom row of square #2. But which cell? To the right or to the left of the nine? The lower right corner of square #2 doesn't fit, as the five is in column 3-5-7-4-4-1-9. So, the five has to go in the lower right corner of square #2.
We've already filled six squares using the "hanging fruit" and "exception" techniques. We've got seven empty cells left to work with, but it's tricky to get to them.We've already filled six squares using the "hanging fruit" and "exception" techniques. We've got seven empty cells left to work with, but it's tricky to get to them.
We're down to just seven gaps left. Unfortunately, we can't fill them in because several identical numbers are confusing us.
For instance, you could put either 2 or 8 in the top right (square #3). But based on analysing the top row and the leftmost column, it's impossible to know which value fits better.
Let's leave it for now. Let's try to work with square #2, which currently contains values 7, 3, 1, 4, 9 and 5. Based on that, we need to put in 2, 6 and 8, but we're not sure how or where exactly. The problem is that there is no 2 and 8 in square #3 either. At the bottom centre (square #8) there are also missing 2 and 6.
What should we do in this situation and how can we find out more? If we usually write numbers in small print on paper as if we're making a quick decision, online games have special tools like 'Solution Check'.
For instance, we're going to try placing the number 2. Great! All we have to do now is enter the value and click on the 'Solution Check' button. The system will show us what's going to happen next (how the fields will be filled in). If the number is highlighted in orange, there's a problem. You'll probably need to look for other values to enter into the cell.
Can anyone tell me what the orange colour in square 3 is for? It seems the number doesn't fit here. So, 2 should go in the only remaining cell, which is at the top right. The system also helped us figure out where 8 should go. Thanks to the tool, we not only got square 3 done, but we also figured out how to fill the cells going forward.
Results
Once you've finished square #3, there's still one puzzle left to complete.
OK, so let's take a look at square #8, where we should have placed 2 and 6. At this point, it's clear where we should put the 2. We already have one in square #2 (left column). To avoid any crossings, we need to put 2 in the right column of square #8. So, in the empty cell of square #8, we should write 6. It'll look like this: 1-8-7-6-6-4-2-9-9-5-3.
We're almost there with the Sudoku solution! We just need to fill in two cells in square #2. We don't need to worry about any more dangling fruit or serious attempts to rotate the twists. We just need to insert the values 8 and 6 (based on what we can see in the corresponding columns).
You solved the Sudoku puzzle pretty quickly! The puzzle is complete, so you can move on to other things now.
When you're trying to solve logic problems, it's not uncommon to get stuck. That is, you can't see which digit fits the square/column/cell better. In this case, it's a good idea to use special online tools like "Solution Hints" or "Checks". These techniques are useful for both beginners and experts in puzzle-solving.
