...Beauty, cleaning, DIY tips and more - free to join!
   Login   Contact us   Site map   Puzzle Club   Ask a question    Newsletter

Don't get puzzled by creating the puzzle...

Sudoku needs no introduction - and if it does, then you probably won't be too interested in how to create a sudoku puzzle.

For everyone else, here is a simple way to create a sudoku puzzle by hand.

The first challenge is to work out a valid final grid, that is, one which has the numbers 1 - 9 once only in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.

In order to do this, start by writing the numbers 1 - 9 randomly in the first column, whatever order you pick does not matter.

In the next column, copy the list but start with the 4th number in the first column then. In column 3, start from the 7th number in column 1.

Then in columns 4,5,6 start from numbers 2,5,8 and in columns 7,8,9 start from numbers 3,6,9 in that first row. This will then generate you a valid final point. Whilst someone may spot the pattern you have used it will only become noticeable once they have almost finished the puzzle if they notice at all, and for a one off puzzle it doesn't matter. Remember this is a simple method for creating a puzzle! If you need more than one grid, simply shuffle the order of the numbers in the first column then repeat the process to get 123456789 different grids!

Next, you need to take out a certain set of numbers and try to solve the puzzle. You can try to remove one number at a time and see if you can solve it from there, using your brain power and sudoku prowess, or you can take out a whole host of numbers at once and then see if you can solve it.

Try to reduce the number of placed numbers to around 30 - 35 in the grid if you can, or even lower once you get the hang of the method.

If you leave the given numbers in a symmetrical pattern for added style and also try to start with some rows relatively empty whilst leave a couple of rows or columns or boxes almost solved - say with 6 or seven givens in - this gives people a healthy starting point to place some numbers easily and get involved in the grid.

Good luck!
Creating A Sudoku Puzzle
Author: Dan

About the Author:
More About the Author >>> | My other pages >>>

Page Views: 1920 | Page Ranking: 116
Popular Tags:
sudoku, sudoku puzzle, creating sudoku, hand

Last Updated: Aug 16th 2006

Ask Dan a Question >>>

Write your own expert page!
Category: Puzzles and Games [More Categories]

Article Comments / Questions

No comments have been added to this question.
Comment on this Article