sudoku is a number-placement puzzle that has become increasingly popular in recent years and has grown to be one of the world’s most beloved brainteasers. It requires the player to fill in missing digits in a 9×9 grid which has some pre-filled numbers, so that each column, row and 3×3 section contains all of the digits from 1 to 9 without any repeated numbers.

Where Did Sudoku Begin?

It is believed that sudoku began its journey somewhere back in 19th century France. The puzzle started out as a game called “Le tai-tzu” which had additional rules apart from the basic rule of filling in the missing numbers. The game did not gain much popularity initially but it gained traction in the 70s when the puzzle was introduced in the Japanese market and became an overnight sensation. Although the origin of the name remains unclear, it eventually became synonymous with the number placement puzzle that we are all familiar with today.

How To Play Sudoku?

The goal of playing sudoku is to complete the blank cells by trying to arrange the numbers such that there are no repeated numbers within each 3×3 grid, row or column on the board. There are a few strategies that players need to be aware of when attempting to solve the puzzle. First, look for sections that have only one empty cell left – this usually means that you can fill in the missing number safely in that cell without needing to check further. Another strategy involves looking for rows, columns and 3×3 grids that contain duplicates. This is also known as ‘elimination’ since you can eliminate other possible combinations before filling in the blank cells.

What Are The Benefits Of Playing Sudoku?

One of the biggest benefits of sudoku is that it can help stimulate and exercise your mind. The game helps improve your problem solving skills as well as logic and reasoning. After playing sudoku regularly, you will find that your ability to focus increases significantly, allowing you to think through situations more efficiently. Moreover, playing regular games helps keep your memory sharp and prevents age related decline in brain function.

What Are The Different Types Of Sudoku?

There are many variations of sudoku as it has become increasingly popular over the years. For instance, Diagonal Sudoku requires the digits to be placed diagonally across the pattern while Jigsaw Sudoku requires the digit placement to form a continuous loop around the pattern. Additionally, Hyper Sudoku, Killer Sudoku and Consecutive Sudoku are some other variants of the game where each version has their own unique set of rules.

Is Sudoku Really Addictive?

Sudoku itself is not considered an addictive game as such, however, because of the overwhelming sense of satisfaction that comes with completing puzzles, it often becomes harder to resist the temptation of getting too caught up in the game. One should try to limit the time spent playing sudoku, otherwise it could end up taking away valuable time that could have been spent engaging in more productive tasks.

So Is Sudoku For You?

If you enjoy challenging yourself mentally and like the idea of completing puzzles, then yes, sudoku is the perfect game for you. Not to mention the added advantages of exercising your mind, improving your problem solving skills and increasing your focus. So, why not give it a try today? See if you can unlock the secrets of this beloved brainteaser.