Solving Technique for Non-Consecutive Sudoku

Today we will look at a solving technique for Non-Consecutive Sudoku. The images below are for explanatory purposes only and not an actual puzzle.


Let us take a look at box 1 in the above example. We have pencil marks of 1,2 at R1C1. 1,2,3 at R1C2 and 1,2,3 at R3C2. In a Non-Consecutive sudoku, whenever we have consecutive numbers as pencil marks in a cell, then we can simply remove them from the adjacent cells. For example, if R1C2 was 1, then R1C1 would become 2, and if R1C2 was 2 then R1C1 would be 1. Since either scenario is not allowed in a Non-Consecutive sudoku, we can safely eliminate 1 and 2 from R1C2.


Since we have 3 in R1C2, we can again eliminate 2 from R1C1. so we have 1 at R1C1 and 2 at R3C2.


Now let us look at box 6. We have options of 1,2,7 at R4C7,R5C7 and R6C7. since 1 and 2 are consecutive numbers they will always be separated by the third number. So 7 will always be in R5C7. 



10 comments:

  1. one question regarding non consecutive sudoku. is pencil marking the whole grid necessary? it takes quite a lot of time pencil marking the whole grid. how do we cut down on that?

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  2. also it would be really helpful if u could explain the solving method for consecutive sudoku as well as innies and outies for killer.....

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  3. This was an example Akash, so very few numbers shown and loads of pencil marks. However, in a normal Non-consecutive sudoku, we will have much more clues and pencil marking becomes easier. It is easier to identify clues through pencil marks since naked pairs, and such clues become very obvious to the eyes rather than trying to remember each and every possibility for a given cell.

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  4. I will provide the solving techniques for consecutive and killer sudoku too. Maybe tomorrow we will have a look at consecutive sudoku and killer on monday :)

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  5. I solved almost all puzzles from Sudokumania volume1.Sometimes I struggled but our Mumbai group was there 7x24 for help. Very interesting puzzles .Your puzzle construction is par excellence.I enjoyed.waiting for volume 2

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    1. Thank you for the kind words. Would appreciate if next time you could add you name to the post too :)

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    2. Sure ,by the way name is Ashokkumar Pawar

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    3. Sure ,by the way name is Ashokkumar Pawar

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    4. Hi Ashok,

      The only reason I asked for the name is so that I am aware of who am I speaking with :)

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