Basic Sudoku solving strategies

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Is placing the correct candidates part of logic? [Game solving Strategies forum] contributed by Fred Tassin

I'd like some opinions on this situation: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, one must place the correct possible candidates in each cell and then use logic to eliminate all except the correct one. However, is the actual placing of the possible candidates in each cell part of logic...or is it just a routine action that must be done with care?

If it does not require logic to place the correct possilbe candidates in each cell, then I intend to use a program on the computer to insert the candidates correctly. This will save a lot of time and allow me to start the elimination process immediately.

Thanks,

Fred

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Marking (re: Is placing the correct candidates part of logic?) contributed by Lynne

That's a debatable one.

Some people think that working out 'basic' possibilities is straightforward and boring and so a solver like SudokuDragon can be used to help to work these out. Others will say that a sudoku should be solved on its own without any help at all.

It depends what you enjoy doing, as you play more and tackle the harder problems you'll probably find having the option of relying on aid to solve the very simple squares is useful.

SudokuDragon program, available from this web site will probably do all you want as it has a lot of options for displaying possibilities.

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Contested Possibilites (re: Is placing the correct candidates part of logic?)

Well, if it is simply a routine action, it is an action that requires precision and exactness. I might say that if all we are going to do is look at options and use one of the several methods we are not really doing Sudoku, we are simply using logic to eliminate numbers. If you ever plan to get into a contest that requires the complete listing of possibilities I suggest you begin from scratch.

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