Our Sudoku is smarter

Perhaps you don’t even do Sudoku, but you’ve most likely encountered it in your favorite magazine. The game has taken the country by storm, establishing a new generation of brain teaser lovers.

Although the origins of Sudoku are claimed to be Japanese, there is another story that tells it in a different way. It is said that the Sudoku puzzle actually originated in Switzerland, and was later used in magazines in the US.

Dell magazines featured the game but named it “Number Place”. The game didn’t become extremely popular though and many had never heard of it. That was until a man called W Gould encountered a book containing the puzzles in Japan. Thereafter the game expanded throughout Japan and became highly popular moving to other territories and creating a sensation in the United States.

Nowadays we can play Sudoku anywhere. There are internet sites that offer games online like Sudoku, then there are handheld games, books, magazines, and many video game systems even offer their own variants of the game.

Now how does Sudoku work? Usually, you will have 81 cells in a grid which consist of 9 rows, 9 columns and 9 boxes (each box is 3 x 3 cells big). Within these cells you have to enter the numbers 1 to 9 in such a way that the digits do not duplicate themselves in any row or column or 3 x 3 box. A new Sudoku puzzle is always supplied with a few numbers already entered. We call those numbers clues or givens. Some Sudoku puzzles are very easy, some are quite tough … it all depends on how they are made.

Sudoku has grown to fit many forms. Now, rather than just the regular grids, there are grids made from grids, creating a massive puzzle, some as large as five overlapping puzzles. There are also games that have different shapes so that instead of just the horizontal and vertical rows, you have to make sure to have the proper numbers within a certain area. Some puzzles offer a diagonal requirement, and some use even letters to spell out words with their solution.

Did you know even children can master Sudoku? Not just the quick thinking children who are highly developed, but any kid. There are puzzles made for every age range, and every skill level. It is a very healthy time “waster”, even for them!

Many people avoid these puzzle because they aren’t good at mathematics. If only they knew there is no mathematics involved! It really only relies on logic problem solving, and if the numbers scare you, there are several other options using letters, shapes, symbols and pictures.

Research has found Sudoku to be good for your health! Doing a puzzle or two each day has helped people all over the world to boost their brain power and combat diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The game can also reduce stress levels and enhance your mood.

If you are not already playing Sudoku, you don’t know what you are missing! Start with one of the easier ones, and work your way up. You’ll soon find out just how enjoyable it is … but be careful, you might not be able to stop!