Solve NYT hard Sudoku at one step. The 2nd May 2024 Sudoku surprised me. The critical breakthrough came very early, but with some insight.
NYT Sudoku Hard 2nd May 2024: One Step Solution
Stage 1: First few steps, mainly breakthroughs, given: rest are easy
Hidden R5C7 9.
Double digit scan for (1,9) in R5, R6: Cycle (1,9) in R4.
Double digit scan for (3,4) in R4: Cycles (3,4), (2,7,8) in central middle major square, and Cycle (5,6) in right middle major square.
Cycles (3,5) and (2,6,7) in left middle major square: breakthrough naked singles R6C1 3, R6C3 5, R6C7 2, R5C9 8. Cycle (4,7) in right middle major square.
Double digit scan for (2,4) in R9, C7: Cycle (2,4) in bottom right major square.
Triple digit scan for (2,7,8) in four cells of C1, R1C1, R2C1, R3C1, R4C1 creates breakthrough resource Cycles (1,4,6,9) and (2,7,8) in C1.
Two double digit scans and once triple digit scan proved to be crucial to the solution.
Cycle (5,6) in C8 by DS reduction.
Single digit lock on 7 in R9C8, R9C9: Critical breakthrough naked single R9C1 8.
Critical stage is reached very early. Resolution of rest of the cells will need patience, but won't need any special breakthrough.
Rest will solve itself.
Solution.
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NYT Sudoku Hard 2nd May 2024: One Step Solution: Intermediate stage
The intermediate status of the solution for better understanding.
