Complete Sudoku Techniques Guide: From Beginner to Advanced
Welcome to the Sudoku Techniques Learning Center! This page organizes all Sudoku solving techniques from beginner to advanced, helping you systematically learn and improve your Sudoku skills. Whether you're just getting started or looking to tackle harder puzzles, you'll find suitable learning content here.
We recommend learning in order - master basic terminology and beginner techniques first, then gradually progress to intermediate and advanced strategies. Each technique includes detailed explanations and diagrams to help you understand and apply them better.
Basic Knowledge
Before learning solving techniques, you need to understand basic Sudoku terminology and concepts.
Row, Column, and Box Naming Conventions Basic
Learn how rows, columns, and boxes are numbered in Sudoku - this is the foundation for understanding all techniques. This site uses numbers 1-9 for rows (top to bottom), letters A-I for columns (left to right), and boxes are numbered 1-9 from left to right, top to bottom.
Sudoku Glossary Basic
Quick reference for common Sudoku terminology including cells, candidates, bi-value cells, chains, strong links, weak links, and locked sets.
Beginner Techniques
These are the most basic solving methods, suitable for Sudoku beginners. Master these techniques and you'll be able to solve most easy and medium difficulty puzzles.
Naked Single Beginner
When a cell has only one candidate number remaining, that number is the answer. This is the most direct solving method.
Hidden Single Beginner
In a row, column, or box, if a number can only appear in one position, that position is the answer for that number. Determine the unique answer through row, column, and box elimination analysis.
Intermediate Techniques
After mastering beginner techniques, learn these intermediate strategies to solve more complex puzzles.
Naked Pairs Intermediate
When two cells in the same row, column, or box have exactly the same two candidates, you can eliminate these two numbers from other cells in that unit.
Naked Triples Intermediate
An extension of Naked Pairs, applicable to three cells and three numbers.
Hidden Pairs Intermediate
When two candidates in a row, column, or box appear only in the same two cells, those two cells must contain these two numbers, allowing you to eliminate other candidates from those cells.
Hidden Triples Intermediate
When three candidates appear only in the same three cells within a row, column, or box, those cells must contain these three numbers, allowing elimination of other candidates from those cells. Advanced version of Hidden Pairs.
Box-Line Reduction (Pointing & Claiming) Intermediate
Uses the intersection relationship between boxes and rows/columns to eliminate candidates. Includes Pointing (box candidates point to a row/column) and Claiming (row/column occupies positions in a box).
Advanced Techniques
These are advanced strategies needed for solving hard and expert-level Sudoku puzzles.
X-Wing Advanced
When a candidate appears only in the same two columns in two rows, that candidate can be eliminated from other cells in those two columns. Row-based X-Wing eliminates columns, column-based X-Wing eliminates rows. Classic advanced Sudoku technique.
Swordfish Advanced
When a candidate appears in at most three columns across three rows, that candidate can be eliminated from other cells in those three columns. 3×3 extension of X-Wing, expert-level Sudoku technique.
Skyscraper Advanced
When a candidate forms a strong link in two rows (or columns) and they connect through the same column (or row), cells that can see both dangling endpoints can eliminate that candidate. An advanced elimination technique based on strong links.
Grouped Skyscraper Advanced
When strong link endpoints extend to groups consisting of multiple cells within the same box, use grouped strong links for candidate elimination. The grouped extension of the Skyscraper technique that can discover more elimination opportunities.
XY-Wing Advanced
Article in progress...
Using the special relationship between three bi-value cells for elimination.
Chains Advanced
Article in progress...
An advanced technique that builds reasoning chains to discover contradictions or determine answers.
This technique library is continuously being updated. If you're particularly interested in a specific technique, feel free to let us know through the feedback feature and we'll prioritize writing that article.
Practice Makes Perfect
After learning techniques, the most important thing is to practice. Suggestions:
- Start easy: Practice beginner techniques with easy difficulty puzzles first
- Progress gradually: Challenge medium difficulty after mastering beginner techniques
- Use pencil marks: Develop the habit of marking candidates - it helps discover various techniques
- Analyze mistakes: When you make errors, review and identify missed techniques
Click here to start a Sudoku game and apply what you've learned!