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How to play Sudoku
Sudoku is a simple number puzzle which consists of a grid of nine columns and nine rows. The grid also contains nine 3x3 smaller grids. The object of the game is to complete all the cells so that each row, column and 3x3 grid contains all the numbers 1 thru 9 inclusive. To begin, a puzzle will contain a number of "fixed" cells. This helps you to start completing the puzzle using logic.

Entering numbers into the puzzle
To enter a number into a cell, you first need to "select" that cell. You can do this either by clicking on the cell with the mouse or by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Once the cell is selected, it will have a faint red outline. You can then hit a number key to enter the appropriate number into that cell.

Pen or Pencil?
You can choose to "pen" or "pencil" a number into a cell. When you start a puzzle, the pencil option is chosen by default. You can change this at any time under the "Puzzle" menu in the software.
You may wish to "pen" a number in place if you're absolutely certain that that number belongs in that cell. Using the pen for this makes it easier on the eyes (and brain!) when completing the puzzle. Note that you cannot input another number over the top of a "penned" number unless you delete that penned number first.
You may wish to "pencil" a number in place if you're not yet certain that the number belongs in a particular cell. You can easily change a "penciled" number by entering another number in its place without first having to delete it.

Making Corrections
You can easily make corrections to an entry by selecting that cell and entering another number over the top. In the case of numbers entered with the "pen", you will first have to delete or erase that number by selecting the cell and hitting the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

Adjusting Puzzle Size
Simply resize the puzzle window and the puzzle will grow or shrink as necessary.

Puzzle Timing
May Sudoku players like to "time" how fast they can complete puzzles. The software begins timing your puzzle as soon as you begin a puzzle. You can temporarily "pause" or "resume" a paused puzzle by going under the "Puzzle" menu option in the software. When the puzzle is paused, random numbers are displayed in the grid at timed intervals. This is to make cheating the timer more difficult!

Saving Puzzles
If the appropriate option is enabled, the software will automatically save your incomplete puzzle upon exit for the next time you launch the software.

User Options
If you go under the "Edit" menu and open the Options settings, you are presented with a variety of different settings you can employ:

  • Difficulty Settings: There a 4 different difficulty settings ranging from easy to very difficult.
  • Play Sound Effects: With this option enabled, the software will play subtle sounds effects whenever you make an action.
  • Auto-Save Window Size & Position: With this option enabled, the software will remember the last size and location of the puzzle window.
  • Auto-Save Puzzle on Exit: With this option enabled, the software will automatically save incomplete puzzles on exit and then restore that puzzle the next time you launch the software.
  • Color Scheme: You can see a small representation of the puzzle - click on a part of the puzzle and you will be presented with a color-picker which enables you to change the color scheme.

 

 


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