What is the swordfish rule?

A Swordfish is a 3 by 3 nine-cell pattern where a candidate is found on three different rows (or three columns) and they line up in the opposite direction. Eventually we will fix three candidates somewhere in those cells which excludes all other candidates in those units.

What is the Swordfish solving technique?

The Sudoku Swordfish strategy is a single-candidate technique that uses 3 rows and 3 columns. This means the player only needs to focus on one digit. The grid must contain 3 rows or 3 columns where the digit is a candidate to only 2 or 3 cells.

What is the cell rule in Sudoku?

The rule of singles requires: When a candidate k is possible in only a single cell of a row, column, or block, then that cell must be k.

What is the hidden triple rule in Sudoku?

"Hidden triples" applies when three cells in a row, column, or 3x3 block contain the same three Notes. These three cells also contain other candidates, which may be removed from them.

What is the 45 rule in Sudoku?

The 45 rule is a basic solving-technique in Killer Sudoku. Each house (row, column, nonet) must add to 45 (the sum of the digits 1 through 9).

Swordfish - an Advanced Sudoku technique

How do you identify Swordfish pattern in Sudoku?

A Swordfish is a 3 by 3 nine-cell pattern where a candidate is found on three different rows (or three columns) and they line up in the opposite direction.

What is the hardest Sudoku game?

Expert Sudoku is a game for experienced Sudoku players with a very high level of difficulty. This hardest Sudoku puzzle is characterized by the fact that only a few numbers are shown in the Sudoku square, which consists of 9 small squares, where the cells are located 3x3.

What is the least clues in Sudoku?

Sudoku fanatics have long claimed that the smallest number of starting clues a puzzle can contain is 17. Now a year-long calculation proves there are no 16-clue puzzles. Sudoku is a number puzzle consisting of a 9 x 9 grid in which some cells contain clues in the form of digits from 1 to 9.

What is the best strategy Sudoku?

The most basic strategy to solve a Sudoku puzzle is to first write down, in each empty cell, all possible entries that will not contradict the One Rule with respect to the given cells. If a cell ends up having only one possible entry, it is a "forced" entry that you should fill in.

What is the uniqueness trick in Sudoku?

UNIQUE RECTANGLE (TYPE 1) : If three corners of the rectangle are "Bi-Value" Cells with the same candidates and if one or both of these candidates are present in the Cell in the fourth corner, then none of these candidates can be the solution in the fourth corner; otherwise, this would lead to a Deadly Pattern.

Should you ever need to guess in Sudoku?

Sudoku does not require guessing. In fact, when solving Sudoku puzzles, you're better off NOT guessing at all. Sudoku is a logic puzzle, using the power of simple deductive reasoning and process of elimination to fill in the gaps in the grid. Simply put – you don't need luck to play Sudoku.

What are the ghost numbers in Sudoku?

Ghost numbers are empty cells in a row, column or box that are the only cells that can hold a specific digit. Ghost numbers can be used to narrow down the possible places in other rows, columns or boxes where the same digit can exist.

How do you solve expert Sudoku without guessing?

Are there patterns in Sudoku?

Patterns are essentially a series of completed numbers (either givens or numbers that have been filled in) in a specific order in one of the boxes on the sudoku grid. Patterns help you organize the remaining numbers and eliminate possibilities in a box, and in related boxes, rows and columns.

Is Sudoku high IQ?

From this case study it can be concluded that an individual who is skilled at solving Sudoku puzzles likely has a high general IQ. The results of the weak correlation between Sudoku scores and the WAIT test indicates that in some cases a high Sudoku doesn't necessarily mean a high general IQ.

Are there unsolvable Sudoku puzzles?

Realistically, no! There are 6,670,903,752,021,072,936,960 possible solvable Sudoku grids that yield a unique result (that's 6 sextillion, 670 quintillion, 903 quadrillion, 752 trillion, 21 billion, 72 million, 936 thousand, 960 in case you were wondering). That's way more than the number of stars in the universe.

What is an evil Sudoku puzzle?

What is Sudoku Evil? Sudoku evil is a 9×9 grid sudoku puzzle with the highest possible level of difficulty. It's an advanced level only for experienced sudoku solvers.

What is the rectangle trick in Sudoku?

Unique Rectangle Type 1

This strategy applies when the player finds four cells with the same pair of candidates facing each other. They are grouped in parallel sets of two, sharing the same columns, rows, and blocks. This is a deadly pattern that results in a double solution for the puzzle.

What is the formula for Sudoku?

For example, in the first and fourth columns beginning from the left of the 9×9 grid, we can form the following equations: m+n=a, g+n+f=g+c. In the second and last rows beginning from the top of the 9×9 grid, the following equations can be formed: b+g+f=a+g, e+n+m=a+b+d.

What is Sudoku rule of 1?

Rule 1 - Each row must contain the numbers from 1 to 9, without repetitions. The player must focus on filling each row of the grid while ensuring there are no duplicated numbers. The placement order of the digits is irrelevant. Every puzzle, regardless of the difficulty level, begins with allocated numbers on the grid.

Is 6 minutes good for Sudoku?

5 minutes is more than enough time to jump start your brain, re-evaluate your Sudoku strategy, and develop a new perspective on how to view the Sudoku grid. So “take 5” and give yourself a new chance at solving Sudoku puzzles!

What is the average Sudoku time?

It is believed that the average Sudoku player spends approximately 20 minutes solving a typical Sudoku puzzle. For very hard puzzles, that number can be much higher. While the game itself can be challenging and complex, several strategies can be used successfully to find the solution.

What is the magic number in Sudoku?

Now Gary McGuire, a mathematician at University College Dublin, has come up with what he says is a proof that finds the minimum number of clues, or starting digits, needed to complete the game is 17.