How to Play Medium Sudoku
Medium Sudoku is a level up from easy Sudoku because the puzzle is pre-filled with fewer numbers, requiring you to use deeper logic. To solve the puzzle, you must fill each row, column, and 3x3 block with numbers 1 through 9, avoiding duplicates in each section.
This level tests your problem-solving skills and requires focus, patience, and careful note-taking to master.
Medium Sudoku Strategies
These strategies rely on note-taking and observation to help you eliminate possibilities and guide you toward completing the puzzle. In the strategies below, the term candidate numbers refer to potential answers noted in each cell.
Hidden Single
A hidden single is a number that can only fit in one cell within a row, column, or 3x3 block because all other potential cells for that number have been eliminated by the existing answers and candidates. For example, the last cell in the middle row is a 7 because that is the only number that isn’t present in any other notation within that row.
Last Possible Number
To find the last possible number, look at the numbers that exist in the row and column intersection of a cell, as well as the cell’s 3x3 block. If eight out of nine numbers are present, you can deduce the number in that cell. For example, a 4 belongs in B8.
Naked Pair
A naked pair is a pair of cells within the same row, column, or 3x3 block that have the same two candidate numbers and no other candidates. Because those two numbers must occupy the two cells, they can be eliminated as possibilities in other cells within that row, column, or block. For example, the top middle and top right cells have naked pairs (4, 7). That means 7 can be eliminated in the top left cell.
Hidden Pair
A hidden pair uses the same concept as a naked pair except there may be other candidate numbers within the cells. To find the hidden pair, look for cells within a row, column, or block where two candidate numbers appear in no other notations. Eliminate the other notations within the cells with the hidden pairs and review adjoining rows, columns, and blocks to see if additional eliminations are possible.
Remember, when you play medium Sudoku it’s essential to practice the elimination methods and note potential options. If you’re ready to go to the next level, try hard or evil Sudoku.