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Need help or a clue in my super fiendish sudoku puzzle please

125 replies

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:07

Been stuck on this one for days! Has anyone got a hint they can give me? I'm going to be VV embarrassed if it turns out to be something obvious 🤣

Need help or a clue in my super fiendish sudoku puzzle please
OP posts:
BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:11

Have you not tried writing in all the possible numbers in each box? That often reveals a number - or yields pairs, which means you can discount some of the other numbers.

whaddayawannado · 19/01/2025 16:18

Use a propelling pencil with a rubber on the end, and write in tiny writing what the possibles are. For instance, in the first box, the left hand three number have to be either 4,5 or 7, because vertically, they are the only three numbers missing from that column.

Looking across you can then see which boxes are 4/5, 4/7 or 5/7. Go all over the puzzle putting in all the definite maybes in pencil.

parietal · 19/01/2025 16:27

Row 5 column 7 has to be a 3 (I think)

Interested in this thread?

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BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:30

OK - I've done it now

Row 5, column 7 is a 3.

@LindorDoubleChoc how do you want me to help you? Other than telling you all the answers!

frozendaisy · 19/01/2025 16:31

Top right 9 goes between the 8 and 2 on bottom line

frozendaisy · 19/01/2025 16:32

No not sure now
thought I had it

BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:33

You are right @frozendaisy - row 3, column 8 is a 9

ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 19/01/2025 16:34

What other posters have said about going through and writing all possibilities in pencil. Look at pairs so that other numbers can be eliminated, look at each box and each line and column. There will be places where only one number is possible.
I've never failed to solve any sudoku this way, done thousands.

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:44

whaddayawannado · 19/01/2025 16:18

Use a propelling pencil with a rubber on the end, and write in tiny writing what the possibles are. For instance, in the first box, the left hand three number have to be either 4,5 or 7, because vertically, they are the only three numbers missing from that column.

Looking across you can then see which boxes are 4/5, 4/7 or 5/7. Go all over the puzzle putting in all the definite maybes in pencil.

I've done all of this which is why I'm asking for help.

I can't find any matching pairs or triples of missing numbers, or any of the other usual "one step ahead" clues. I can do most fiendish or difficult puzzles and some super fiendish ones, but this one's proving a bit tricky!

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 19/01/2025 16:48

You need to show us the version where you’ve filled in all the notes so we can see what’s happening.

BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:48

I've taken a photograph of the completed puzzle, if that would help? Or I could just tell you the top line or the middle box.

Solving this one was mostly about pairs

BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:50

A clue for you:

In column 1, rows 1, 2 and 3 can only be the numbers 4, 5 and 7 - so you can delete them from the rest of that square

BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:51

Sorry - just realised @whaddayawannado has already given you that!

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:53

Well done BIWI! Don't suppose you remember which was the first square you solved?

OP posts:
BIWI · 19/01/2025 16:54

I started with the 4/5/7 in the top lefthand square.

NowNumber5 · 19/01/2025 16:54

I've just done it too.

The starting point for me was (apart from your contribution OP) was getting the number in
Row 6
Column 5

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:56

Sorry, I keep cross posting. But at the moment I can't see why row 5 column 7 is a 3. The 3 could also go in column 9.

OP posts:
NowNumber5 · 19/01/2025 16:56

It was quite the head scratcher though! But then I've not done a sudoku in years 😄 so thanks for that!

BIWI · 19/01/2025 17:01

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:56

Sorry, I keep cross posting. But at the moment I can't see why row 5 column 7 is a 3. The 3 could also go in column 9.

It's not 3, it's 7

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 17:01

@NowNumber5 - thank you! I can't see why it can't be 5 or 6 though?

OP posts:
BIWI · 19/01/2025 17:02

Row 6, column 5 is a 5

BIWI · 19/01/2025 17:04

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/01/2025 16:56

Sorry, I keep cross posting. But at the moment I can't see why row 5 column 7 is a 3. The 3 could also go in column 9.

... and yes, 3 is in column 9

Wonderwall23 · 19/01/2025 17:06

I think the very first square is a 4.

NowNumber5 · 19/01/2025 17:08

Is that enough to get you going @LindorDoubleChoc ?
Or do you want any more clues?
Hopefully you're well on your way now 🤗

BIWI · 19/01/2025 17:09

Wonderwall23 · 19/01/2025 17:06

I think the very first square is a 4.

Yes