How to Solve a Jigsaw Sudoku

A jigsaw sudoku, also known as an irregular sudoku, gets its name from the interesting shape of its individual grids. Unlike the boxy shape of traditional games, jigsaw sudoku looks very similar to a jigsaw puzzle. At first glance, jigsaw games appear extremely complicated and different from traditional sudoku puzzles. However, once you get the hang of how to solve a jigsaw sudoku, you may feel the unique shape adds excitement to game play.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Jigsaw sudoku puzzle
• Pencil

1. Understand the rules of jigsaw sudoku are no different than those of the traditional game. The only thing that deviates in jigsaw sudoku is the pattern of the grids. The goal of the game is still to fill in every box without repeating a single number within a column or row.
2. Allow yourself several minutes to get used to the layout of jigsaw sudoku. Many users claim the reason jigsaw sudokus are difficult to solve is because it takes the eyes awhile to get used to the shape of the grids. By giving yourself time to adjust to the pattern, you may be able to solve the puzzle quicker.
3. Start by looking for obvious numbers, just as in traditional sudoku. There will be several empty boxes with only one obvious choice. As you fill in each box, more logical choices may become apparent.
4. Take your pencil and make a note of the numerical possibilities for each box. Once you're finished, you may find logical moves you've overlooked.
5. Search for "naked pairs," or identical sets of numbers in a given row or column. When you've identified naked pairs, you can eliminate each number as a possible choice in all the other boxes of that row or column.
6. Keep in mind that while the basic three-by-three grids may be shaped differently in jigsaw sudoku, they still must contain only one number per grid. You must remember to cross-reference each shaped grid with the others to avoid repetition.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you're a pro at traditional sudoku, you may want to try an easy level jigsaw sudoku for your first time. Getting the hang of cross-referencing and adjusting your eyes to the abnormal grids takes some practice.
• Make sure you allot plenty of time for practicing your jigsaw sudoku puzzles. The first couple of rounds may take you longer than normal, due to the small learning curve.