Hello Christine, Marilyn (and any other inequalities obsessives) Agree it is time this topic had its own thread so here it is! For those new to this, the 3 of us have been sharing our frustrations, tips and hard won successes in the 200 thread whist trying to crack the maddeningly difficult, but fantastically satisfying, inequalities puzzles in Gareth's Sudoku 200 series. A brilliant book for those who like a challenge. Do join us. We need all the help and encouragement we can get. Christine, so glad you are getting there now and have joined Marilyn and I on this quest. I am still trying to crack the unfinished ones that I have abandoned down the line with slightly more success. This should indicate that I have found some previously hidden logic but sadly not. Like you I always start with 9's and 1's followed by 2'' and 8's and then see where i am at. I think I am getting better at following long chains and considering all the possible numbers that fit, even if there are 3 or 4 (occasionally) options. Sometimes this throws some light on other cells in the lines, columns and boxes. For example, if I know that a cell can only contain a 3 or a 4 then a chain in the same line cannot contain both the 3 and 4. Does that make sense? In other variants I do not usually bother if there are more than 2 options but these call for greater analysis. However, even doing this, the puzzles still take a long time and often several visits to complete (if then!). If still not there I rub out all my "possibles" and leave it for a bit. Hence all the embarrassing gaps in my book. I have now attempted most of the puzzles upto 132..... this is now the only book I seem to pick up! I have completed almost exactly half of these so not overly great. Of recent new ones I have tried, no 129 worked out on first attempt although i wouldn't say it was easy. But then none are. That might sound good but I am STILL stuck on no 14 (see earlier posts). And has anyone done 21? I keep going back to it but so far have not managed to place one number! What am I missing? It's windy and raining where I am today so might find some time to try again.... Sue Looking forward to some comments, inspiration and any tips! Gareth, if youre reading, these are the best! http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1164#msg-1164 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:14:55 +0100 Phorum 5.2.19 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1534#msg-1534 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1534#msg-1534
I haven't touched the inequalities book in a while, but now that it's been brought back to the forefront of my mind again, perhaps it's time to take another looke at it. I've been doing a lot of the puzzles in the Mammoth book just lately and enjoying the variety. One of my favourite types at the moment is the odd pair sudoku.

I've taken up bird watching and photography in a big way this last year or two and have spent most of the summer outdoors at various reserves making the most of the sunshine - it's been a great summer for once. Now the nights are drawing in again, there'll be more time to settle in and do puzzles. I am beginning to wonder whether Gareth has abandoned the Xtra books? No sign of Issue 24 yet and it's been a long while but it sounds as though there's another new project in the offing.

Best wishes to you both]]> Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 15 Oct 2013 07:57:48 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1533#msg-1533 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1533#msg-1533
Yes and yes in answer to your questions. I am now living in a tiny, beautiful village in the Dales not far from Kirkby Lonsdale. It is quite perfect and very peaceful for puzzling! I haven't Hanjie'd for a while but used to love them so you have inspired me to go back to them for a bit. I used to find they were very relaxing and satisfying to do whilst listening to music whereas I find the logic of a hard suduko (particularly the inequalities) requires too much concentration for such distractions. Not that Hanjie's are easy!

You seem to have done better than me on inequalities....I still have annoying gaps in the 1-110 range, but it is immensely satisfying to go back and complete an abandoned one occasionally. It doesn't always happen tho so I am still awaiting a bolt of lightening revealing some hitherto undiscovered piece of logic!

Off to find an unfinished Hanjie book now.....

All the best

Sue]]> sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:12:17 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1532#msg-1532 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1532#msg-1532
I'm nowhere near completing the inequalities book. I put the book away for a while to do some of the other puzzle books, then went into a long Hanjie phase. I'm up to puzzle 110 with the inequalities and reckon this book will last me until Easter next year!! That wouldn't stop me buying a 2nd volume, though.

Keep us updated with your puzzle successes and fun new life!]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Thu, 10 Oct 2013 03:06:58 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1531#msg-1531 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1531#msg-1531
A long time since we chatted. How are my puzzling friends? I have moved to the North in the summer and seem to have less time for puzzles despite now being retired. Not sure how that happened! I am looking forward to long winter sudoku evenings by the fireside now.

Anyway after all this time I have still not completed the inequalities book.... I think I have about 40 either still untried or abandoned (for a while). I am still determined to finish all 200 come hell or high water! Hopefully before Christmas which will be a whole year...not very impressive is it?! A book 2 in my Christmas stocking would be lovely if Gareth would be so kind.....

I enjoyed issue 23 and am patiently waiting for 24 which hopefully will introduce more new interesting variants. Meanwhile the little orange Mammoth book is diverting and fun, despite the horrid paper.

Hows everyone else doing? Any new exciting puzzles discovered that I may have missed?]]> sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Wed, 02 Oct 2013 11:53:01 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1219#msg-1219 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1219#msg-1219
Christine, I've marked some easy ones for you, when you are ready. I think we were up to 68 last time, so from 68 to 100 easy ones for me were:

68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 76, 77, 84 (very easy), 89, 92, 94, 95, 96, 98, 100. The others were moderate to hard, but not so hard that any were abandoned.

I'm taking a break for a while to enjoy the Mammoth Book of New Sudoku and Extra 23. I'm also ordering a new book in the 101 series, volume 2 of the 13-grid Samurai!

If I was a cat, I'd be purring loudly with happiness!

Take care

Marilyn]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:46:26 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1205#msg-1205 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1205#msg-1205
Sue, thanks for your help on 62. I think I see what you mean with column 4. If I've got it right (which I'll find out over the weekend) there's only 3 cells that can be either 8, 7 or 6, so eliminate the other possibilities from those cells, and there's only one place for the 5!

I finished 64. I'd got about 3/4 of it done before getting stuck and abandoning it. When I looked back at it, I had one of those "doh!" moments.
In the bottom right box I had, in the 3 central cells:
1,3
3,4
1,3
which I had previously stared at loads of times
where:
3,4 = yoohoo, here I am
So:
1,3
4 8-)
1,3
Five minutes later the puzzle was finished.

I love moments like that!]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Sat, 13 Apr 2013 03:25:11 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1204#msg-1204 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1204#msg-1204
Great to hear your progress and ideas. I fully endorse all the excellent suggestions for further books. I had forgotten odd pair. I don't think these have been in Xtra for a bit and I always enjoyed them and found them quite tricky quite often.

I had also abandoned 62 and 64, Marilyn, so I am having another look following your comment. After a lot of thought and general stuckness I have just managed 62! I did ok for a bit with the 9's, most of the 8's and some 1's but then stalled. I was on the verge of another annoying abandonment but persisted and finally had a breakthrough. If you havent cracked it yet study all the possibilities in column 4. I found it unravelled slowly at that point as I managed to place a 5 (curiously). Not often a 5 unlocks the puzzle is it. Good luck with it if you need it.

Am going to try 64 now. Don't hold your breath!

Sue]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:54:48 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1203#msg-1203 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1203#msg-1203
Got to admit, I have left my inequalities book alone for a while (I have six others of the 200 series which I have been working at on and off with much more success!) But thanks for high-lighting some of the slightly easier ones Marilyn - I will go back and have another look at those.

More books? Well, my personal preferences would be for odd pair sudoku and a varied collection of samurai stars (not standard sudoku but other variants.

Also a puzzle I have missed in the last few editions of Xtra is the Jigsaw Skyscraper - more interesting than the plain skyscrapers and a bit easier than the samurai skyscrapers - I always love having a go at that one but don't always get it finished!

I've also seen the Mammoth Sudoku book on Amazon and have had it pre-ordered for a while now! Not long to wait.

As ever, thanks Gareth, for keeping us puzzlers happy with the best selections out there!]]> Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Sun, 07 Apr 2013 07:55:02 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1202#msg-1202 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1202#msg-1202
Christine, some easy ones for you are 51, 55, 59, 66, 67. 52, 57 & 58 I marked as medium, and the others were quite tough for me.

Gareth, I received an alert about a new book of yours due out on the 18th April - The Mammoth Book of New Sudoku. I had to pop in here and shout my delight. What a great mix of puzzles - 495 of them! Flicking through the available “look inside” pages, I spotted Sudoku Centres and was very pleased to see this variation, where the central cell of each box formed an extra region. In a way, it reminded me with great fondness of a puzzle that was around years ago, called “Clueless Sudoku”. “Clueless” was made up of 9 Sudoku grids. The central box of each grid was shaded and formed a 10th Sudoku. Called “Clueless” because there were no given numbers for the shaded boxes. Could you, perhaps, produce something like this one day, Gareth? Anyway, thank you for this new book, which I will add to the pile!

Other book suggestions, apart from Inequalities 2: Extra Regions with the variants of this variant! How about Non-Consecutive or a mix of Consecutive and Non-Consecutive, or a mix of Quad Clue and Quad Max? Perhaps a second volume of XV and/or Kropki could be considered for the future?

We can never get enough:D

Take care

Marilyn]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Sun, 07 Apr 2013 05:41:01 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1199#msg-1199 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1199#msg-1199
I hope the books are selling well for you. They are excellent value and I hope repay you well for your effort in producing them. I would welcome any suggestions you have for variants I might have missed which have the same level of challenge as Inequalities. I would be interested to know which ones do you find hardest?

Variants I would currently like to see in book form (other than an Inequalites 2!) are Extra Region Jigsawa and Skyscraper Samuria Stars. A mixed variant Samurai Star would be great too if that was possible.

I am sure others will join in this particular thread with more ideas.......

All the best

Sue]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:54:50 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1198#msg-1198 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1198#msg-1198 gareth Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:58:43 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1197#msg-1197 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1197#msg-1197
We have all gone quiet for a bit!!! I hope everyone is still puzzling well and had a good Easter. I have been a bit busy recently but have been progressing with Inequalities in the odd quiet moment.... the freezing weather has helped! I have been enjoying reattempting old abandoned puzzles with a squeaky clean replacement book. A clean sheet has definitely freshened my mind and I am being moderately successful, although some are still foxing me. I have FINALLY managed the irksome number 14 which was very satisfying! I am still finding the early puzzles harder than the later ones. I still have several in the teens i have not cracked as yet. Maybe new inequality puzzlers might be warned of this as maybe they will be put off.

In the meantime I have also enjoyed Issue 22 and still have the odd foray into other puzzles. Nothing quite hits the spot like Inequalites though. Any chance of another book sometime Gareth? Or any ideas for other good challenges?

So how's everyone else doing?

Sue]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:05:20 +0100 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1194#msg-1194 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1194#msg-1194
I'm glad you are still cracking on with the inequalities, as tough as they can be. Don't give up! It doesn't matter how long a puzzle takes, or if you put aside the book for a while and pick it up another time, just think of that glow of satisfaction when one gets finished!

I must admit, I do like easier puzzles now and again. It's a bit like putting weary feet into fluffy slippers! A couple of books in the 200 series are reserved for when I need those easier moments - the Odd/Even and Sudoku X books. I've dipped into one of the Futoshiki books and they're definitely easier than the inequalities book, so I enjoyed that.

I've no easier puzzles marked for you this time. I've hit a tough batch between 45-50, but I won't forget to notify you of easier ones.]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:09:21 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1193#msg-1193 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1193#msg-1193 Marilyn - thanks for pointing out some of the easier ones for me - I have put an asterisk by those puzzles and will have a go at them next. At the moment I seem to be going through the book and trying out puzzles at random. Strangely enough, puzzle 44 was one of the ones I actually got in one sitting, so one small triumph for me at least. I am still finding them very hard going in general and spend ages sitting and getting nowhere fast. It doesn't put me off trying - I am finding them fascinating, but I think there may come a time when I will say enough is enough! (Though just when I am getting to that stage I finally manage to crack another and it keeps me plodding on).

I have about 6 of the 200 series - the XV are actually quite easy (how nice to be able to say that - they make a bit of much needed light relief sometimes) - mind you I have the second half of the book to go yet so presumably they will get more difficult.
I'm really enjoying the Kropki although I have to be in the right frame of mind to get started, also the arrow sudoku which I am finding ok so far.
One of my real favourites at the moment is the Mystery Killer Sudoku Pro - so far quite a challenge but still manageable!

I probably would buy a second Inequalities book though I would prefer them to be a bit easier (not sure you two would agree with that one!)

What I would really like would be a book of skyscraper sudoku puzzles (more interesting than the plain skyscrapers) and a book of mixed samuai variants - Gareth we are rather a demanding lot aren't we?!! Really enjoying your puzzles, thank you!

I know it's not maths, but how I used to hate maths at school and had to work really hard to get my maths GCSE whereas literacy subjects came much easier - yet these days I'm not a bit interested in word puzzles - just want to play around with numbers all the time!]]> Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:38:06 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1192#msg-1192 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1192#msg-1192
Sue, it really urked me that I made a dog's dinner of puzzle 44 and put a cross through it. My first thought was to order a second copy of the book immediately! I was going to order another copy when I finished this book, anyway, assuming a book 2 doesn't emerge, but I can't be having puzzles crossed out. No, no, no, no! Then I had an idea for the interim. I created a sudoku grid using the Tables function in Word, printed a few out and re-did 44. I had to be careful to draw the arrows in correctly, though!

Then I did puzzle 14 again. I remember having a hard time the first time round, cracking the puzzle eventually, somehow. I wanted to see if I could get in that stuck situation again and what I did to get out of it and maybe give you a clue. This time round, I started with the minimum and maximum values. I couldn't spot any x-wings, niether did I get stuck! Although it took a while, I breezed through it easier than the first time.
Maybe you could try redrawing the puzzle, or using the minimum/maximum method when you get your new book!

I've had my book for a little over 2 months, and only on page 13! You have done remarkably well, Sue.]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:53:58 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1191#msg-1191 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1191#msg-1191
Of the Xtra variants I find the Extra Region Jigsaws really challenging and tricky so maybe if we ask nicely we might get a book of them maybe. Also an Inequalities 2 would be bought in an instant!! I hope the first one sold well enough to justify the effort of producing a new one. A Samurai (Star) Inequality would be fantastic too.

Gareth ...... are you listening???

I cannot believe I have spent nearly 3 months on this book already and still less than 75% solved. However, I do seem to be getting more successful as I progress through the book. Generally speaking I can now usually complete 2/3 per page at first (very slow!) attempt. A considerable improvement since the early days and encouraging. It is still always immensely satisfying to finish one.]]> sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:32:02 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1190#msg-1190 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1190#msg-1190
Christine, of the latest batch (33-44), easy ones I've marked are 38, 39, 40, 41 and 43. The others were toughish, with 33 being quite hard. I made a complete dogs dinner of 44.

Sue, I wish the compulsion to do inequalities could be explained. I haven't done any puzzles in Xtra 22 yet. I really want to do the 13-grid consecutive puzzle, but go right back to the inequalities! Not sure what to suggest for you. Do you have any of the 101 Samurai books? I've got 6 of them, star, jigsaw, 13-grid, arrow, outside and standard samurai. Challenging in their own right, with jigsaw and star being the most challenging. I haven't started the arrow book yet as I can't get my head around them in the 200 series!

In the 200 hundred series, the kropki and jigsaws would be the most challenging for me (and arrow). I now have 12 books in the 200 series, LOL, with the 3 Futoshiki books having just arrived, LOL. The Sudoku Xtra Specials 100 Consecutive Sudoku book is challenging, too.

Who knows, by Easter there may be an Inequalities Book 2. I hope so, I hope not! I want to go back to the other books and see if the minimum/maximum values work for other puzzles, but I can't because I keep hearing the call of an inequality.

I'm off to answer that call now.

Happy puzzling, everyone!]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:29:25 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1189#msg-1189 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1189#msg-1189
6 in an evening was a definite one-off but progress is still being made over here. I have filled in some of my gaps and try hard to resist turning to a new page but the temptation to try a virgin puzzle is too much sometimes. I am now completed about 95 puzzles and am into the 160's, so still plenty of gaps to fill, and trying to slow down as I near the end of the book. The trouble is, I now find the puzzles in the other books or Xtra much less satisfying which is rather disappointing really. I quickly get bored and turn yet again inequalities.

I am going to need a new book or a new challenge by Easter I think. Any suggestions?

In the meantime, if you need a confidence boost, I completed 155 in record time last week. Not sure if I was feeling unusually inspired or it is slightly easier. Either way I was delighted. Still not finished 14 tho!!

Keep X winging folks....]]> sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:38:00 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1188#msg-1188 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1188#msg-1188
Christine, congratulations on your successes. Sounds like you've found your mojo!

I'm enjoying using the minimum value method. I've found it's helping to cure my habit of leaving stragglers. I'm not 100% yet, but getting there! I'm not too good at spotting X-wings unless they are at the beginning. In the few puzzles I've done since finishing 21, I found 2 X-wings in the early stages and that was fun, in 35 and 36. 33 is giving me grief, so if an X-wing is lurking there I can't find it. I'm a lot more relaxed in my rule of finishing the puzzles in order, but I do try to finish a page before turning over! So currently I am on page 10, bouncing around 33, 34 and 35, with 36 finished.

I might have to put my book away for a while or otherwise spend not so much time with it:( Hitting a busy period at work that might require long hours in the office and some weekend working. If that happens I'll take one of the easier books to work on while travelling so as not to be totally devoid of puzzles.:)]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Sat, 09 Feb 2013 02:20:47 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1187#msg-1187 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1187#msg-1187
Yes I it is definitely encouraging to be chatting with other puzzlers on these tricky ones. Sounds like you are making good progress now. My bubble burst after my inspired 6 evening but it gave me the confidence that i might one day complete the book. Not any time soon tho. I have found looking for "Xwings" in puzzles I had abandoned has been quite successful but not every time unfortunately.

Keep at it!!]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:17:49 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1186#msg-1186 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1186#msg-1186 Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:19:54 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1185#msg-1185 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1185#msg-1185
Like you I keep coming back to these. Other variants seem quite easy now by comparison and far less satisfying as a result. Oh dear.... what next I wonder?

Marilyn, I am pleased you have solved No 21 as well *punches the air*!! I am so glad we started this thread and Gareth joined in to help us. I feel newly energised and yesterday evening manged to complete 6, yes SIX, puzzles. That must be some sort of record, for me at least. I opened a page of unfinished/unstarted ones at random and off I went. Pages 32/33. I did all bar 123 and 124 which I shall try today, and completed them all (slowly) at first attempt. Definitely a breakthrough. I haven't used Gareths method successfully yet but something has clicked in my brain (or maybe this puzzles were slightly easier - hard to tell really).

Gareth, thank you again for joining in. A great help. Do you have any suggestions for our next tough challenge? I am thinking maybe Jigsaw Extra Regions which I also find very hard. I would be interested to hear which variants you consider the most challenging.]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:43:26 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1184#msg-1184 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1184#msg-1184
Well done Marilyn on cracking number 21 - I think I'll leave that one for a bit and work my way up to it!]]> Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:24:45 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1183#msg-1183 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1183#msg-1183
Christine, you will keep going back to the inequalities, oh yes! One minute you're happily doing puzzles from all the other books, then suddenly inequalities have crept up, sunk their teeth in and won't let go! With these new methods, I think I'm even more addicted now, if that's possible, but loving every moment. Thanks, Gareth!]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:53:12 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1182#msg-1182 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1182#msg-1182
In many cases, nope. :)

It's a funny name but an easy piece of logic so you probably sometimes apply an equivalent deduction without calling it an x-wing. They're not always easy to see though.

The x-wing deduction (which has nothing to do with 'x's - "square deduction" would be more accurate) is that if there are only two locations for a candidate in a row, and only two locations for that same candidate in a different row AND both of these two locations are in the same two columns THEN you can remove that candidate as a possibility from all other cells in those two columns. (And then the same logic with row and column exchanged throughout, of course)

Think of it like a hash symbol: #. If you have the candidates on the intersections of the lines and those are the only candidates in a pair of rows or columns, you can eliminate them from the intersecting lines.

My inequalities (including Futoshiki) use this deduction a lot to get started.]]> gareth Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:08:49 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1181#msg-1181 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1181#msg-1181
First of all Marilyn - your song really made me smile! Shows how much the puzzles must have inspired you if you are composing songs to help!

Sue, congratulations on finally completing 21. I am really impressed by yours and Marilyn's brain power and determination! My progress is much slower (probably doesn't help that I don't know what an X-wing is - can you solve the puzzles without knowing that?). I am pleased to report one small success though. I have completed another one - number 24, and I have made a note of the puzzle numbers that you have both mentioned are slightly easier and will have a go at those next.

Gareth - great idea to print the puzzles out larger and also just start with the minimum number for each cell. I will try those two things now.

I think that "glutton for punishment" may be the best words to describe me - all of us for that matter, because even though I have bought another four of the 200 series, all of which I find much easier to solve, I keep going back and back to the inequalities waiting for the 'Eureka' moment!]]> Christine Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:24:48 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1180#msg-1180 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1180#msg-1180
Thank you for the tips Gareth. I might print the ones in issue 22 double size and see if that helps as you say. I am so pleased to have these puzzles back in Xtra. They disappeared for several issues and I missed them. The 200 book is terrific. Thank you. I would love another one sometime (but not yet!!). I hope they are selling well for you. I did write a review on Amazon as requested.]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:20:08 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1179#msg-1179 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1179#msg-1179
I've not thought of putting in the minimum values for each cell, either. I am quite excited about trying a new method and will retackle 21 tomorrow.

I rarely think of the more advanced techniques, so this'll be great for practicing an X-wing!

Sue, Christine, I hope you get to finish gaps now and progress further.]]> Marilyn Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:58:44 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1178#msg-1178 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1178#msg-1178
I think to be fair you'd find these puzzles easier if they were two to a page and you had more room for neat pencil marks. I printed mine twice as big, and it definitely helps me! :)]]> gareth Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:25:41 +0000 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1177#msg-1177 http://www.sudokuxtra.com/forum/read.php?2,1164,1177#msg-1177
I usually start looking for a 1 or a 9 to place and work on from there with variable results as you may have seen!]]> Sue Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:00:52 +0000