The fundamental principle governing the solution of Sudoku puzzles dictates that each row, column, and 3×3 subgrid must contain all digits from 1 to 9, without repetition. For example, if a row already contains the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, then the only remaining digit that can be placed in that row is 9. This constraint applies equally to columns and subgrids.
Adhering to this principle is paramount for logical deduction and puzzle completion. Its consistent application transforms what appears to be a random arrangement of numbers into a solvable problem. Furthermore, this guiding principle has remained constant since the puzzle’s modern popularization, providing a stable framework for puzzle construction and resolution worldwide.
The subsequent sections will delve into specific strategies and techniques used to exploit this underlying framework, enabling the efficient solution of Sudoku puzzles of varying difficulty levels. These strategies leverage the avoidance of digit duplication to systematically narrow down possibilities and ultimately reveal the complete solution.
