10 Sudoku Tips and Tricks to Solve Puzzles Faster

Solve the easy ones first. If you have a row with 7 numbers filled in, the other two are obvious. Similarly, look for whole rows or columns that have a number missing that are very easy to work out. These will make the rest of the puzzle look less complicated.

Cross-hatching: for each number from 1 to 9, mark in the rows and columns that contain that number. Then mark in the spaces in each block that contain that number. Now I do it in my head. I used to do it on paper. It seems to catch things that you might not notice if you just tried to enter numbers haphazardly.

If you are really stuck for an answer, you may need to use the pencil marks. List all possible numbers for each position and update them as you go. Yes, it is hard work but it is worthwhile doing it. You will find that many pairs and triples will emerge without too much thought.

Naked pairs: If two cells are in the same row and can only contain two numbers, then those two numbers can't be in the other cells of the row. X them out and move on. It's really that simple, and it's often considered to be a bit of pure genius. Naked pairs work just as well in columns and boxes.

The minute you feel unsure or stuck, DON'T GUESS. There is almost always something you are missing and there will always be a deduction to be found. Take a second look. Re-examine your work. You may have an eraser mark or a smudge on your pencil that could be your clue to the correct answer. Don't be tempted to start over. I have no idea how many times I have had to re-begin my work because I chose to guess rather than working it out. - - - - - - - - -

Box-line reduction If a number can only go in one line within the box then it can be removed from the other numbers in the line outside of the box Easy peasy in theory but in practice it's a bit harder. It will surprise you in places, at times granting freedom to a space that was thought to be locked.

If you have been staring at a section for more than a minute LOOK AWAY. Like really look away. I'm serious. I always walk away for a few seconds and the answer always comes faster than you can even think about trying to solve it. Tunnel vision is a real thing. Trust me.

I assume you all time yourselves like I do? It's kind of hard to really think of yourself as racing against anybody else when you're doing these things, and it's helpful to be able to track which ones feel harder for you personally. (As opposed to feeling slow, and trying to remember what you felt compared to the people you saw fly through them.)

When I finish a puzzle, I generally find that I can look back on it and realize that I could have done it in fewer moves than I actually did. Unfortunately, that realization tends to come after I've already solved it. After the first time, though, I'll notice that the puzzle can be solved more efficiently. Almost immediately, usually.

I would say do one per day. One a day is a good challenge without being overwhelming. I have tried to do all the weekend puzzles and been badly wrong. One puzzle per day is easier to focus on. Three half hearted attempts at solving the puzzle won't produce as good a score as one properly focussed attempt.