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How to Play Sudoku

Introduction to Sudoku

Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids (also called boxes or regions) contain all of the digits from 1 to 9 without repetition.

The puzzle starts with a partially filled grid and challenges you to fill in the rest while following the rules.

Basic Rules

  • Each row must contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition
  • Each column must contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition
  • Each 3×3 box must contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition
  • The puzzle has only one valid solution

Example:

In this example, notice how each row, column, and 3×3 box contains the numbers 1-9 exactly once:

5
3
4
6
7
8
9
1
2
6
7
2
1
9
5
3
4
8
1
9
8
3
4
2
5
6
7
8
5
9
7
6
1
4
2
3
4
2
6
8
5
3
7
9
1
7
1
3
9
2
4
8
5
6
9
6
1
5
3
7
2
8
4
2
8
7
4
1
9
6
3
5
3
4
5
2
8
6
1
7
9

How to Play Our Sudoku Game

Getting Started

  1. From the main menu, select a difficulty level: Easy, Medium, or Hard
  2. The game will generate a Sudoku puzzle with some cells already filled in
  3. Pre-filled cells cannot be modified and are shown in a gray background
  4. Empty cells are where you need to place numbers according to the rules

Entering Numbers

  1. Click on an empty cell to select it
  2. Type a number from 1-9 to fill the cell
  3. To clear a cell, press Delete, Backspace, or type 0
  4. The game will automatically check your solution when all cells are filled

Game Controls

  • Reset Game: Clears all your entries and starts the same puzzle from the beginning
  • New Game: Returns to the difficulty selection screen to start a fresh puzzle
  • Timer: Tracks how long you've been working on the current puzzle

Strategies for Solving Sudoku

1. Scanning

Scan rows, columns, and boxes to identify where a specific number can be placed. If a number already exists in a row, column, or box, it cannot be repeated.

2. Elimination

For each empty cell, determine which numbers are possible by eliminating numbers that already appear in the same row, column, or box. If only one number is possible, that's your answer.

3. Look for Singles

If a number can only go in one cell within a row, column, or box, then that cell must contain that number, even if other numbers could also go in that cell.

4. Pairs and Triplets

If two cells in a row, column, or box can only contain the same two numbers, those numbers cannot appear elsewhere in that row, column, or box. The same applies to three cells with three possible numbers.

Beginner's Tip:

Start with the easiest difficulty level to learn the game. Look for cells with the fewest possible options first, as they're easier to solve. Remember, Sudoku is about logic, not guessing!

Understanding Difficulty Levels

Easy

More cells are pre-filled, requiring basic scanning and elimination techniques. Perfect for beginners learning the rules and basic strategies.

Medium

Fewer pre-filled cells, requiring more advanced techniques like looking for singles and using pairs. Good for players familiar with the basic strategies.

Hard

Minimal pre-filled cells, requiring advanced techniques and deeper logical thinking. Designed for experienced players looking for a challenge.