How to Play Sudoku
It’s the solution that’s the challenge. Here are the illustrated Sudoku rules.
The Sudoku Rules
Rows
There are 9 rows in a traditional Sudoku puzzle. Every row must contain the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. There may not be any duplicate numbers in any row. In other words, there can not be any rows that are identical.
In the illustration at the left the numbers 5, 3, 1, and 2 are the “givens”. They can not be changed. The remaining numbers in black are the numbers that you fill in to complete the row.
Columns
There are 9 columns in a traditional Sudoku puzzle. Like the Sudoku rule for rows, every column must also contain the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Again, there may not be any duplicate numbers in any column. Each column will be unique as a result.
In the illustration at the left the numbers 7, 2, and 6 are the “givens”. They can not be changed. You fill in the remaining numbers as shown in black to complete the column.
Regions
A region is a 3×3 box like the one shown to the left. There are 9 regions in a traditional Sudoku puzzle.
Like the Sudoku requirements for rows and columns, every region must also contain the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Duplicate numbers are not permitted in any region. Each region will differ from the other regions.
In the illustration to the left the numbers 1, 2, and 8 are the “givens”. They can not be changed. Fill in the remaining numbers as shown in black to complete the region.
In summary, the Sudoku rule is: Complete the Sudoku puzzle so that each and every row, column, and region contains the numbers one through nine only once.
There is only one solution to a properly designed Sudoku puzzle.
