by Roxanne Manning

Sudoku is a logic-based placement puzzle with an aim to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each cell of a 9X9 grid. Although the first sudoku puzzle was published in the U.S., it did not attain international popularity until 2005. Solving sudoku puzzles generally involves a combination of three processes. These include scanning, marking up and analyzing. Following is a brief guide to solving soduku.

1. Scanning: Scanning generally takes place not only at the outset but also throughout the solution and consists of two basic techniques. (a) cross-hatching involves scanning rows or columns to identify which line in a particular region may contain a certain numeral by a process of elimination. (b) counting 1-9 in regions, rows and columns to identify missing numerals. Counting based upon the last numeral discovered may speed up the search.

2. Marking Up: Once no further numerals can be discovered, sudoku players often find it necessary to mark potential numerals in blank cells. This can be done by actually writing in numerals or dots to represent potential numerals.

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