I really love Sudoku. I play it for about half an hour almost every day. Every time I finish a game, I feel very relaxed. These are just some of my own thoughts on the game.
Many people think Sudoku is a math game. They see all those numbers and think they need to be good at adding or subtracting. But that is not true! Sudoku is actually a game of looking and choosing.
The Power of "No"
The best way to play Sudoku is to use the rule of elimination. This is just a fancy way of saying: "If it can’t be this, and it can’t be that, it must be the other thing!"
When you look at an empty square, don't try to find the right answer right away. Instead, look for all the wrong answers.
- Look at the line going across. Is there a 5 there? Then your square cannot be a 5.
- Look at the line going down. Is there a 2 there? Then your square cannot be a 2.
By finding all the things that are impossible, the truth starts to show itself.
Keep Testing, Keep Moving
A hard puzzle is just a lot of small tests. You try an idea, you check if it works, and if it doesn't, you cross it out.
It is like a puzzle in real life. If you have five keys and only one opens the door, you try them one by one. Once you put aside the four keys that don't work, you are left with the one that does.
Never Give Up
Even the hardest level can be finished. You don't need to be super smart; you just need to be patient. If you keep checking what is possible and what is not, you will always win. Every square has an answer waiting to be found.
Sudoku reminds us that even when things look messy, there is always a way to find the truth.
