This year we will continue the format of four puzzles per month. Hopefully the “Clueless” puzzle will give you the tools to spot more clues and lessen the intensity of the puzzle.
Since Sudoku is a game of logic, our second puzzle each month will be labeled simply as a “Logic” puzzle, being less difficult than the others and not requiring advance techniques. Our “Impossible” puzzle will challenge the reader to the utmost. Learn how to solve these puzzles will be a key to solving virtually any difficult Sudoku puzzle. And finally, the “Feature” puzzle will be a semi-difficult puzzle requiring advanced techniques.
Speaking of advanced techniques, Step 6, “Dan’s yes / no challenge” is a powerful tool and is fully explained in many previous puzzles, including the April 2023 Sudoku article. Just click on the link in any article to review this tool. Step 7, Dan’s close relationship challenge” is equally powerful in generating a clue, and this can be reviewed in the January 2023 article.
Best of 2025 to all, and may it be your most successful Sudoku year ever!
Puzzle Preparation
Prior to utilizing techniques 1-8, complete the 5 Steps of Puzzle Preparation:
FILL IN DATA FROM OBSERVATIONS
FILL IN OBVIOUS ANSWERS
FILL IN NOT-SO-OBVIOUS ANSWERS
MARK UNSOLVED CELLS WITH OPTIONS THAT CANNOT EXIST IN THOSE CELLS
FILL IN THE OPTIONS FOR THE UNSOLVED CELLS
Clueless?
We start with a Sudoku puzzle in progress, where it appears that there are no more obvious or not-so-obvious clues. Can you find the hidden clue in Puzzle #229?
(The answer follows the conclusion of Puzzle #232, the feature puzzle for this month)
Simply a Logic Puzzle
Difficult rating … 7/10
(Rating based on puzzles not requiring advanced techniques)
Impossible to solve?
Impossible? No. Difficult? Extremely. Puzzle #231 may be a challenge for you. Advanced Techniques (Steps 6 and/or 7) are required. Difficult rating 7/10.
(hint … If you need a refresher on Step 7, please click the January 2023 issue)
Feature Puzzle
Difficult rating … 4/10
(Rating based on puzzles requiring advanced techniques)
(hint … If you need a refresher on Step 7, please click the January 2023 issue)
May the gentle winds of Sudoku be at your back,
Dan LeKander, Wellesley Island
Clue for Puzzle #229 … did you find the clue? If not, read on.
We will focus on box 6. First, in box 4 a 7 can only exist as an option in C2R6 and C3R6. This means that a 7 cannot exist as an option in C8R6 and C9R6. In box 9 a 7 can only exist as an option in C8R8 and C8R9; therefore a 7 cannot exist as an option in C8R4. This leaves C9R4 as the only choice for a 7 in box 6. C9R4=7.
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Editor’s Note: Dan would like to hear more from his readers regarding questions, comments, and suggestions. To confidentially reach Dan, please e-mail him at this address …
info@thousandislandslife.com
And want some fun . . . Go back a couple of years and try one! Let us know how you do.
Recently someone wrote to ask how to fill them out online. Unfortunately, you need to print them yourself.
Use this link and then print from our computer: (Dan I will add the link when we publish on the 14th.
Dan's Book is Available once more.
And, if you have not already done so, we suggest you purchase Dan’s book: “3 Advanced Sudoku Techniques, That Will Change Your Game Forever!” Purchase of a book includes a 50-page blank grid pad, 33 black and two green tokens.
The book is again available on Ebay - [https://www.ebay.com/itm/226539195288?] $12 US with free domestic shipping.
Past Issues
Here are links to all past Sudoku Puzzle Challenge beginning: February 2016, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, June 2016, July 2016, August 2016, September 2016, October 2016, November 2016, December 2016, January 2017, February 2017, March 2017, April 2017, May 2017, June 2017, July 2017, August 2017, September 2017, October 2017, November 2017, December 2017, January 2018, February 2018, March 2018, April 2018, May 2018, June 2018, July 2018, August 2018, September 2018, October 2018, November 2018, December 2018, January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, June 2019, July 2019, August 2019, September 2019, October 2019, November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, April 2020, May 2020, June 2020 and July 2020, August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, November 2020 and December 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021, April 2021, May 2021, June 2021, July 2021 , August 2021, September 2021 , October 2021, November 2021, December 2021, January 2022, February 2022, March 2022, April 2022 , May 2022, June 2022, July 2022 , August 2022, September 2022, October 2022, November 2022, December 2022, January 2023, February 2023, March 2023, April 2023, May 2023, June 2023, July 2023, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023, December 2023 and January 2024, February 2024, March 2024, April 2024, May 2024, June 2024, July 2024, August, 2024, September 2024, October 2024, November 2024, and December 2024
Posted in: Volume 20, Issue 1, January 2025, Puzzle, Sports, Current
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