Sudoku Tutorial

Welcome to the Beginner’s Sudoku Tutorial

This step-by-step guide will take you from zero to ready-to-play on any entry-level puzzle. You’ll see how the board works, make your first moves with real examples, and apply simple logic techniques—one step at a time.

Sudoku is a logic-based number placement game. The goal is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each row, column, and 3×3 block contains the numbers 1 through 9.

Step 2: Here's a beginner-level puzzle with the given numbers.

Step 3: We can insert a 1 in Row 2, Column 6. It's the only cell in Block 2 where a 1 can go, all other positions are blocked by existing 1s in the same row, column, or block.

Step 4: We found a naked single at R1-C2. Let's see why it's the only valid digit for this cell:

• From the same block (Block 1), digits 1, 6, 8, and 9 are already used.
• From the same column (Column 2), digits 2, 4, and 5 are taken.
• From the same row (Row 1), digits 6 and 7 are present.

That leaves only one digit that doesn't appear in the row, column, or block: 3.

Step 5: Here are the valid candidates (possible digits) for all empty cells. This helps us look for patterns like naked pairs or hidden singles in the next steps.

Step 6: Look at Column 9. You'll see two candidates: 2 and 3. This situation is called a naked pair. It tells us that:

• These two numbers (2 and 3) must occupy those two cells.
• No other cell in Column 9 can be 2 or 3 — they’re "taken" by the pair.
• So we can eliminate 2 and 3 from the candidate lists of other empty cells in this column.

This helps reduce possibilities and may reveal new singles or even more patterns.

Step 7: After identifying the naked pair in R2-C9 and R3-C9 (holding 2 and 3), we eliminate those two digits from other cells in Block 3. That leaves R2-C7 with only one valid candidate: 4. We can now insert 4 into R2-C7 as a naked single.

Summary: You've now learned how to solve a Sudoku puzzle using basic but powerful strategies:

• Hidden singles — where only one place in a unit can hold a number.
• Naked singles — when a cell has just one valid option left.
• Candidate elimination — narrowing options using logic.
• Naked pairs — identifying two cells that restrict values for others.

This is just the beginning! Once you’ve mastered the basics, try advanced patterns such as Swordfish, XY-Wing and X-Wing—the tutorial’s last section links to detailed walkthroughs.

Ready to practice? Visit our website and try solving puzzles with visual hints and interactive tools! Start simple or challenge yourself - you're on your way to becoming a Sudoku master.