Learn how to solve very hard expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 quickly simple way
Very hard expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 solved simple way using Sudoku solving techniques of DSA, Cycles, parallel scan, single digit lock, double X Wing.
Sections are,
- Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30
- How to solve very hard expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 simple way by Sudoku solving techniques
- Expert Sudoku Solving Techniques and How to Use Special Digit Patterns.
- Expert Sudoku solving techniques of single digit scan and double digit scan.
- Expert Sudoku Solving Technique of Possible Digit Subset Analysis (DSA) and how to find a naked single.
- Special digit pattern of Cycle of twins or triplets and how to use it in solving an Expert Sudoku puzzle.
- Expert Sudoku solving technique of parallel digit scan for a single digit on a row or a column.
- Single digit lock and how to use it in solving an Expert Sudoku puzzle.
- Expert Sudoku solving technique using Special X wing digit pattern.
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Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30
We have found the following Expert Sudoku game 29 very hard to solve. Major Sudoku Solving Techniques including double X wing, parallel scan and multiple single digit locks have been used for solving the puzzle. The techniques used are separately explained after the solution, but you must first try your best to solve the puzzle that will enrich your mind.
The Rs are the row labels, Cs are the column labels.
Following is the solution of the puzzle explained in simple way.
Please spend your time fruitfully on the game trying to solve it before going through the solutions.
How to Solve Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 Simple Way by Sudoku Solving Techniques Stage 1: DSA, Single digit scan, Naked single, Cycles, Single digit lock, parallel scan, Double X wing
R6C2 5 single digit scan 5 in C1, C3, R5. R7C4 5 scan 5 in C5, C6, R8. R3C1 6 scan 6 in C2, C3, R2. R1C5 6 scan 6 in R2, R3.
DS reduction of [1,2,5,6,8,9] in R1C7, R2C7, R3C7 in top right major square from full set of possible 9 digits in the major square creates unexpected Cycle (3,4,7) in the three cells in C7. DS in C7 reduced to [6,8,9] and with [6,9] in R9, breakthrough R9C7 8 -- Naked single R8C9 1 by reduction of other 8 digits in the cell.
Single digit lock on 8 in R8C2, R8C3 formed by parallel scan elimination of 8 in R8C4 and R8C6 by 8 in C4 and C6. Single digit lock on in R3C2, R3C3 by scan 8 in R1, R2 share columns C2, C3 with the first lock on 8 and forms an X wing on 8 with these two single digit locks. This creates a third single digit lock on 8 in R4C1, R6C1 in C1.
Cycle (6,9) in R7C7, R8C8 in bottom right major square by DSA reduction of [3,5,7] in R8. Reduced DS in the major square [3,5,7] produces R7C8 7 by [3,5] in R7. R5C9 7 scan 7 in R4, R6, C8 and Cycle (3,4,7) in C7. Cycle (3,5) in R9.
A breakthrough single digit lock on 8 is in R4C9, R6C9 by scan on 8 in C7, C8. It shares rows R4, R6 with the earlier created Single digit lock on R4C1, R6C1 and forms a second X wing. This is a very rare case of two X wing formations on same digit.
Status Shown.
How to Solve Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 Stage 2: X wing scan, parallel scan, Cycles, DSA
Critical breakthrough R5C6 8 scan 8 in C4 and scan by X wing on 8 in R4C1, R4C9, R6C1, R6C9 and 8 in C4. R7C5 8 scan 8 in C4, C6, R9.
Second critical breakthrough R7C6 6 by parallel scan for 6 in C6: R2C6, R3C6, R6C6 and R9C6 eliminated by 6 in R2, R3, R6 and R9 respectively. R7C7 9 reduction, R8C8 6, R8C4 4 DS reduction.
Cycle (1,2) in R7C1, R7C3 in bottom left major square reduces [1,2] to create R9C1 7 -- R9C3 4. Cycle (1,2,9) in top left major square.
Status shown.
How to Solve Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 Stage 3: DSA, Cycles, parallel scan
Residual DS [3,7,8] in top left major square reduced by [3,7] in C2 to create DSA breakthrough R3C2 8 -- R8C2 9 -- R8C3 8.
R5C3 9 by parallel scan for 9 on C3: R4C3, R7C3 eliminated by 9 in R4, R7 and R1C3, R3C3 eliminated by Cycle (1,2,9) in top left major square.
R5C7 6 by reduction of 9. R4C4 6 scan 6 in C5, C6, R6.
R6C8 9 scan 9 in R4, R5, C9. R2C1 9 scan 9 in C2, C3. Cycle (1,2) in C2 -- R5C2 4 residual in C2 -- R5C8 2 reduction of 4 -- R5C1 1 residual in R5. R3C5 9 scan 9 in R2, C4, C6.
With 2 in R5C8, R1C8 1 -- R1C2 2 -- R2C2 1. Cycle (2,4) in R2C5, R4C5 in C5 by reduction of [1,3,7] from DS [1,2,4,3,7] in C5.
Status shown.
How to Solve Very Hard Expert Sudoku level 5 game 30 final stage 4: Cycle, DS reduction, parallel scan
Cycle (2,4) in C5 reduces to R9C5 1 -- R9C6 2.
R3C6 1 scan 1 in R1, R2, C4. R6C6 4 by parallel scan for 4 on R6: R6C1, R6C4, R6C9 eliminated by 4 in C1, C4, C9 respectively.
R4C5 2 -- R6C4 3 -- R4C3 1 -- R7C3 2 -- R7C1 1.
R3C8 5 by reduction of 2 in C8 -- R3C9 2 -- R6C9 8 -- R4C9 3 -- R4C8 4. R4C1 8 residual -- R6C1 2. R9C9 5 residual, R9C8 3.
With 2 in C5, R2C5 4, R2C6 3, R2C7 7, R1C7 3, R1C3 7, R3C3 3, R3C7 4, R3C4 7, R2C4 2.
Final solution shown.
Check for the validity of the solution if you need.
Expert Sudoku Solving Techniques and How to Use Special Digit Patterns
As a strategy always try first—the row-column single digit scan to find the valid cell at any stage, because that is the most basic and easiest of all techniques.
While doing the single digit scan, look out for possible breakthroughs by double digit scan and even triple digit scan. Wherever possible, Cycles are formed that in any situation are valuable digit patterns to have and Cycles play a key role in quick solution.
Possible Digit Subset Analysis or DSA is a general technique that is the basis of finding a unique valid digit for a cell by Reduction, a Cycle or even the valuable digit pattern of a single digit lock. Whenever possible, short length possible digit subsets of 2 or 3 digits are to be formed in vacant cells by DSA.
A Single digit lock and an X wing are comparatively more powerful digit patterns that usually create important breakthroughs.
The last resort of filling EACH EMPTY CELL with valid possible digit subsets by DSA is to be taken when it is absolutely necessary. But,
Strategically for faster solution, it is better to delay this time consuming task as much as possible.
A basic part of overall strategy is,
Whether we search for a breakthrough of a bottleneck or a valid cell identification, our focus usually is on the promising zones, the zones (row, column or a major square) that contain larger number of filled digits including Cycles.
The main strategy should always be to adopt the easier and faster technique and path to the solution by looking for key patterns all the time. Digit lock, Cycles, Valid cell by DSA are some of the key patterns.
The six Sudoku solving techniques and special digit patterns are explained now.
Expert Sudoku solving techniques of single digit scan and double digit scan
Let us use the following Sudoku game as the starting point to explain the two techniques of single digit and double digit scan.
This is an initial stage of the Sudoku puzzle solution.
The result of breakthroughs by single digit scan and double digit scan is shown.
Digit scans are done on the cells of a major square. Single digit scan for 8 in R9C9 in C9 and in R5C3 in R5 blocks all other cells in the target right middle major square except R4C8. This is then the only cell in the major square where digit 8 can be placed. Single digit scan blocks then all other cells in the target major square except ONE cell to be occupied by the scanned digit.
This is the most used and most basic technique to find a unique cell for a digit.
In the same way, digits [1,9] appear in R6 and the pair of digits blocks R6C1, R6C2 and R6C3 for both the digits [1,9] in the target left middle major square. This is the double digit scan.
This leaves ONLY TWO VACANT CELLS for the two scanned digits [1,9] in the major square as well as in column C3.
This digit structure of two possible digits for only two cells in a column, row or a major square is termed as a two-cell Cycle.
Every opportunity of forming Cycles are utilized because, Cycles play a very important role in solving very hard to extremely hard Sudoku Puzzles.
Just as single digit scan on the cells of a major square is done searching for suitably affecting digit in multiple rows and columns, double digit scan can also be done with same two digits appearing in more than one row or column affecting the cells of a specific major square.
Double digit scan invariably provides an important breakthrough. Always look out for an opportunity for a double digit scan.
The concept of double digit scan can be extended to triple digit scan as well though it is rare. In this case a three digit long Cycle is formed.
Expert Sudoku Solving Technique of Possible Digit Subset Analysis (DSA) and how to find a naked single
The following is an initial stage of the Sudoku puzzle solution.
The result of finding a unique valid cell or naked cell by digit subset analysis technique applied on the above game stage shown now.
Digit Subset Analysis or DSA is a concept as well as a technique. By DSA, digits that can occupy a particular cell are identified.
This is an essential and very important function for identifying all other digit patterns possible in a target cell. When no easy unique possible digit in any cell can be identified, the only way to move ahead in solving the puzzle is to carry out DSA for PROMISING CELLS. The simplest type of promising cell is the cell with smallest number of possible digits DS of 2 or 3 digits (not 4 digits at first).
To identify a promising cell, identify first a row, column or major square with maximum number of already occupying digits. In the example above, row R4 is such a row with possible digit subset in the four empty cells [1,2,7,9].
Next, the cell R4C4 is easily identified as a promising cell as, [2,9] in Column C4 affecting the cell REDUCES the possible digit subset or DS for the cell to just [1,7]. Moving ahead, the third cell R4C6 gets DS [1,7,9].
And finally, for the fourth empty cell in the row R4C9, [1,9] in its parent major square and 7 in parent column C9 combine to form [1,7,9] to be reduced from the DS [1,2,7,9]. Result is, R4C9 2, a valid unique digit for a cell.
REDUCTION is a fundamental process in solving Sudoku puzzles.
Naked Single: By definition, a naked single is a digit that only can occupy a specific cell. If you analyze possible digits in R4C9 ignoring the earlier process of reduction from DS [1,2,7,9] in row R4, you will find only digit 2 can occupy the cell.
You may adopt this process of identifying a naked single WITHOUT taking help of smaller possible digit subsets in vacant cells, but this process is easier only occasionally.
Special digit pattern of Cycle of twins or triplets and how to use it in solving an Expert Sudoku puzzle
The following is an initial stage of the Sudoku puzzle solution.
The result of a breakthrough unique valid digit by forming 2 digit (twin) and 3 digit (triplet) Cycles is shown.
The digits [1,9] in R6 affect the possible digit subsets or DSs of vacant cells of left middle major square leaving only two cells of the square R4C2, R5C2 for the two digits [1,9]. It is not certain which of these two cells will finally be occupied by 1 or 9 but we can confidently say none other than these two digits are the only eligible candidates for occupying these two cells.
Thus a Cycle (1,9) is formed in these two cells restricting any other cell in the parent column and major square from having any of these two digits.
If we place 1 in R4C2, automatically R5C2 must have 9 and if we place 9 in R4C2 the cell R5C2 must have 1. Potentially these two digits Cycle between these two cells till their final positions are determined. That is why we can place the DS [1,2] in both the cells blocking any other cell of parent major square and column C2 from having these two digits.
This is a two digit Cycle and is the most frequently occurring one.
The direct positive result is formation of a second Cycle (3,5,7) in the three remaining vacant cells by exactly three remaining digits in the major square. This is a three-digit Cycle debarring all other vacant cells of parent row R6 to have these three digits. Result is formation of a third Cycle (4,8) in R6C5, R6C6 and a unique valid digit 6 in R6C9 as the REDUCED DS [4,6,8] in R6C9 is further reduced by [4,8] in C9 and right middle major square combined.
This breakthrough won't have been possible without the Cycle (3,5,7) in R6.
The main function of a Cycle is to REDUCE the length of possible digit subsets or DSs in affected parent zones and with each DS length reduction, certainty of getting a unique valid cell in the whole set of 81 squares increases.
Expert Sudoku solving technique of parallel digit scan for a single digit on a row or a column
The following is an initial stage of the Sudoku puzzle solution.
Result of carrying out parallel scan for digit 2 on the vacant cells of row R8 is shown.
In the relatively empty 81 square puzzle, digit 2 in left bottom major square and right bottom major square debar every vacant cell in the squares from having digit 2. With keen interest we observe, out of six vacant cells in row R8, four cells cannot have digit 2. If we can debar any of the two other remaining cells R8C5, R8C6 from having digit 2, we will get a unique valid digit breakthrough.
This actually happens, as 2 in R1C6 in C6 eliminates the fifth vacant cell R8C6 from having digit 2. We have achieved the breakthrough of unique valid digit 2 in R8C5 as if out of thin air.
In essence, a PARALLEL DIGIT SCAN for digit 2 is done on the empty cells of row R8. Even if digit 2 in R9C3 were in R2C3 or R3C3, the result would have been the same.
A parallel digit scan is done on vacant cells of a row or column (and NOT on vacant cells of a major square). Fortuitous presence of the digit scanned in other cells, all except one cell of the target row or column scanned are debarred from having the digit scanned for. This is an advanced and powerful Sudoku Solving Technique often providing a major unexpected breakthrough.
Observe, you could also have achieved the breakthrough by forming the five-cell long Cycle (1,3,4,6,8) in R8. But that would have been laborious. If you are aware of the possibility, a parallel scan will give you a quick and clean breakthrough.
Single digit lock and how to use it in solving an Expert Sudoku puzzle
The following starting position is an advanced stage of the solution. Because of Cycle (1,9) in C2 the DS in C2 is reduced to [2,3,4,5,8] which again is reduced by [2,4,8] in R1 to form DS [3,5] in R1C2 and forms the Cycles (3,5) and (2,4,8) in C2. Important result of these formations is DS [4,8] in R7C2.
The result of forming a single digit lock and breakthrough achieved by the lock is shown.
Shift your attention now to row R8 with DS [1,3,4,6,8] and especially the DSs of cells R8C1 and R8C3. By [1,6] in the parent major square, 8 in C3 and 4 in C1 the DSs in these two cells are reduced to [3,4] and [3,8] respectively. Recall that DS in R7C2 was [4,8]. These three promptly join together to form a breakthrough Cycle (3,4,8) which eliminates any other possibility of digit 3 in the two remaining cells R7C3 and R9C1 in the major square.
The digit 3 is now locked in only two cells R8C1 and R8C3 in R8 and bottom left major square. The two digits are highlighted by larger size and different color. This powerful digit pattern is what we call a single digit lock.
As this lock on 3 eliminates possibility of 3 in all other vacant cells of the row R8, especially 3 in DS [1,3] of R8C9, it provides the breakthrough of R8C9 1. Now double digit scan for [4,6] in R9, C9 produces Cycle (4,6) in bottom right major square and DS [3,7,9] in R9C7 reduces by [3,9] in C7 to R9C7 7. This is the second major breakthrough as it causes easily obtained valid cell chain starting from R5C7 4.
A Single digit lock is a very important digit pattern that may not only provide a major breakthrough but also may join suitably with a second single digit lock to form the more powerful and advanced digit pattern of X wing.
As a rule, while solving a hard Sudoku puzzle, the Cycles and single digit locks are identified and marked for immediate or later use.
Expert Sudoku solving technique using Special X wing digit pattern
The following is an advanced stage of Sudoku puzzle solution where all vacant cells are filled up with possible digit subsets, but with no easy breakthrough.
This is where you identify a single digit lock on 9 in R1C1 and far away R9C1. The single digit lock is on 9 in C1.
Similarly, you also identify a second single digit lock on 9 in R1C8 and R9C8 in C8.
Especially important property of these two single digit locks on the same digit 9: these also share the same pair of rows R1 and R9. This is an X wing digit pattern formation.
Digit 9 can now occupy only the two cells at the end of one of the two diagonals R1C1, R9C8 or R1C8, R9C1. Sharing of rows by the two single digit column locks thus prohibits appearance of digit 9 also in any other cell of the two rows R1 and R9.
Breakthrough by the X wing digit pattern is shown.
Elimination of 9 in DSs of R1 produces the most critical breakthrough R1C5 7 by reduction of 9 from DS [7,9] in the cell. The breakthrough of R1C5 7 starts a long chain of unique valid cell identification starting from R7C5 6 and ending with the last vacant cell of the puzzle.
An X wing digit formation is a powerful and highly sought after asset that generally provides a critical breakthrough. As a thumb rule, larger the size of the X in the X wing, more effective will be the result.
Observe that the first step of identifying a single digit lock in two far apart cells of R1C1 and R9C1 was not easy but was crucial in searching for a similar lock in another column that share same pair of rows.
Always look out for single digit locks in far apart cells of a row or column.
To go through the solution of this Expert Sudoku puzzle once more, click here.
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