At the early part of 2005 Su Doku was almost unheard of in this country. Now you can find these challenging puzzles in publications all across America and around the world. The puzzle has its origins in Japan ('Su' is Japanese for 'number' and 'Doku' literally translates as 'single' or 'bachelor', thus 'single number'), and is generations old. In its current form, the puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid of squares subdivided into nine boxes of 3X3 subgrids. At the start of each puzzle there is a scattering of numeric clues.
The rules are simple, but the strategies are many—easy to complex—and we suggest you research them for yourself online or in books on the game at your local bookstore/library.
There are two simple rules:
• Each column, each row, and each subdivided grid of 3X3 boxes must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.
• Therefore, no column, row, or box can contain two squares with the same number.
Anatomy of the puzzle:
A Su Doku grid consists of squares, nine rows down and nine columns across. These rows and columns are subdivided into nine 3X3 subgrids referred to as boxes (See Figure 1). Each puzzle depending upon it complexity begins with a set of numeric clues to get you started. Tip: Use a pencil when working Su Doku as you'll want to make small numeric notes in the corners of the boxes as you try to solve the puzzle. You'll be asking yourself questions like 'If so-and-so number is in this column, will such-and-such number go in this other box?' On more difficult puzzles you'll need more complex logic questions to help you find the correct numbers.
Each month Single Source News will feature a new puzzle along with the completed puzzle from the previous month's Su Doku (next month you'll find the completed puzzle below). As your skills progress you'll find that you'll be able to solve the puzzles in less time—a good average is 30-40 minutes. The puzzles provided will be of moderate difficulty.
This new monthly feature is in response to requests from hundreds of our devoted readers who wanted us to add a little something new, fun, and different to the magazine. We hope you'll catch the Su Doku 'bug'! Most of the staff here at SSN have a hard time putting the puzzles down until each
little square as its own little number! You can let us know what you think of Su Doku via email at:
mailroom@singlesourcenews.com.
Print out this page and join in the fun...Happy Su Doku-ing!
Su Doku Puzzle
For March 2010
(Click
Here To View Finished Puzzle)
