🧩 How to Play Sudoku
The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9x9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 subgrids contain all of the digits from 1 to 9 without repetition.
📜 Game Rules
- The game starts with a partially filled grid.
- Each row must contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repeating any number.
- Each column must also contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repetition.
- Each of the nine 3x3 subgrids must contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repeating any number.
- The puzzle is solved when the entire grid is filled correctly.
🔍 Solving Strategies
- Scan for Singles: Look for cells where only one number can fit.
- Use Elimination: Eliminate possibilities by checking rows, columns, and subgrids.
- Look for Hidden Pairs/Triples: Identify groups of numbers that can only fit in specific cells.
- Advanced Techniques: Use methods like `X-Wing` or `Swordfish` for harder puzzles.
ℹ️ Fun Facts About Sudoku
- Sudoku originated in the 18th century! It was first published in Switzerland by mathematician Leonhard Euler, who called it `Latin Squares.`
- The modern version of Sudoku was popularized in Japan in the 1980s and became a global phenomenon in the 2000s.
- Sudoku puzzles are classified by difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert. The difficulty depends on the number of starting clues and the complexity of the solving techniques required.
- The smallest number of starting clues possible in a valid Sudoku puzzle is 17. Puzzles with fewer clues do not have a unique solution.
- Sudoku is not just a game—it’s a great way to improve logical thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills.