How To Get SO Good At Sudoku You Ignore Difficulty

Summary

Learn seven advanced Sudoku tips and tricks to become an expert solver. This guide covers techniques like finding hidden pairs, using digit restrictions, investigating bicell values, and hunting down marks to quickly solve even the hardest puzzles.

Highlights

Start by Looking for Pairs00:00:17

Instead of singles, look for pairs at the start. In a puzzle, a '58 hidden pair' in column five can restrict possibilities. Another example is a '59 hidden pair' in column three, which is crucial for advancing in harder puzzles.

Impact on Row, Column, and Block00:02:39

After finding pairs, analyze their impact on the row, column, and block. The '59 pair' in column three restricts 'fours' in Block seven to a pointing pair. This then allows solving 'four' in Block four. Identify other pointing pairs like 'threes' in Block nine and 'fours' in Block five.

When in Doubt, Mark it Out00:05:21

Marking potential locations for numbers, especially when a digit is restricted to two spots, helps identify opportunities. For example, 'eights' in Block one form a 'claiming pair' in row three, restricting where 'eights' can be placed elsewhere in that row.

Look for Digit Restrictions00:09:01

Identifying digit restrictions can accelerate solving. For example, the '23 pair' in row seven, combined with other existing numbers, can lead to a 'naked single one'. This single 'one' can then trigger a chain of other solves throughout the grid.

Switch to Bivalue Cells00:12:43

When a cell has only two possible candidates, it's a 'bivalue cell'. Identify these cells to uncover advanced strategies. For instance, in row seven, the restriction of other numbers leads to a 'naked single four', helping to fill out '89 naked pairs'.

Investigate BVC Areas00:15:15

Further investigate areas with bivalue cells (BVCs). In Block eight, filling out columns reveals multiple BVCs. By observing how candidates are shared or interact, like with the '36' and '68' cells, you can find advanced patterns like an 'XY wing' to eliminate possibilities.

Hunt Down the Marks00:19:03

The final and most impactful tip is to systematically remove marks as solutions are found. These marks represent one and two-step restrictions, and quickly clearing them reduces clutter and reveals further solves. This allows for rapid completion of the puzzle.