Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 99 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 33 subgrids that compose the grid (also called “boxes”, “blocks”, or “regions”) contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid, which for a well-posed puzzle has a single solution.
The mental exercise involved in solving these puzzles can contribute to cognitive fitness, potentially improving memory and logical reasoning skills. Originating from earlier number puzzles, the modern version gained significant popularity in Japan during the 1980s before spreading internationally in the early 2000s. Its accessibility and challenge have made it a widely enjoyed pastime.
Understanding the rules and fundamental solving techniques is essential to successfully complete the grid. The following sections will detail the core principles and strategies employed to systematically deduce the correct placement of numbers within the puzzle, enabling a confident approach to solving even the most challenging iterations.
