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How to Play Solitaire Sudoku

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A screenshot of a "Brand New Microsoft Sudoku!" game on a tablet. The screen shows a partially filled classic Sudoku board on an easy difficulty setting, surrounded by a blue glowing background and a pen.
Credits: Microsoft

Table of Content

  1. Features That Make a Difference in Sudoku
  2. The Core Strategy: Scanning
  3. Explore Different Game Modes
  4. Where to Play Microsoft Sudoku

The goal is to fill a 9x9 grid with the numbers 1 through 9, with no repetitions. The rules are simple, but the logic behind solving them is the real challenge.

To do this, you must follow three basic rules, without exception.

  • Rows
    Each horizontal row must contain the numbers from 1 to 9, with no repetitions.
    A partially completed digital Sudoku puzzle with a highlighted top row showing the numbers 5, 3, 2, 6, 1, 4. The grid contains a mix of filled and blank cells, with number selection and control buttons visible at the bottom and right side of the interface.
  • Columns 
    Each vertical column must contain the numbers from 1 to 9, with no repetitions.
    A digital Sudoku puzzle in progress with the fourth column highlighted in yellow. The column contains the numbers 6, 9, 4, 7, blank, 1, blank, blank, blank. Number selection buttons and editing tools are visible on the interface.
  • Quadrants 
    The grid is divided into nine 3x3 quadrants. Each of these quadrants must also contain the numbers from 1 to 9, with no repetitions.
    A Sudoku board illustrating the quadrant elimination strategy. A 3x3 quadrant is highlighted in yellow, and the number 6 is placed within it, showing how it eliminates the possibility of other 6s in that same area.


  • Grid 
    The position of each number in its respective 3x3 quadrants must be unique. This rule is specific to Microsoft Sudoku.
    A digital Sudoku puzzle showing a conflict between two cells containing the number 6. A diagonal arrow points from a cell in the sixth row to a highlighted cell in the top row, sixth column. A red 'X' marks the incorrect placement, illustrating a violation of Sudoku rules. Number selection and editing tools are visible on the interface.

The game starts with some numbers already filled in. Your job is to use logic to deduce where the other numbers fit, while following all the rules.

Features That Make a Difference in Microsoft Sudoku

The app is more than just a blank grid; it includes smart tools to help you learn and improve your skills.

Error Analysis 

A Sudoku board illustrating an error. A number 5 is placed incorrectly, and a duplicate 5 is highlighted in red, indicating a violation of the rule where numbers cannot be repeated in a column.

An essential tool for beginners. If you make a mistake, the game can highlight it, helping you understand where your logic went wrong.

Pencil Marks 

A split-screen view of a Sudoku puzzle. On the left, a number 9 is placed. On the right, the same 9 is highlighted, showing the player's deduction process by adding another 9 in a different quadrant.

Remember writing down possibilities with a pencil? Microsoft Sudoku does this digitally. You can mark small numbers in a cell to track all possible candidates. The best part? The game automatically updates these marks. 

When you fill in a number, it removes that same number from the "pencil marks" in other cells within the same row, column, or quadrant, making your job much easier.

Hints 

A Microsoft Sudoku board showing the hint feature. An arrow points to the lightbulb icon, and a shimmering effect on a cell indicates a number that has been revealed by the hint.

If you get completely stuck, the game can give you a hint. Use this feature sparingly, as the true enjoyment of Sudoku comes from solving the puzzle on your own.

The Core Strategy: Scanning

Scanning is the most powerful technique and should be your first approach, regardless of the difficulty level. The key is to be methodical.

Your objective is to find the correct placement for the number 5 in a quadrant where it is missing. To do this, you will use the process of elimination.

First, observe the location of the chosen number. In the provided example, the number 5 appears in rows 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9, as well as in columns 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9. 

We will select the number 5 at position (1,2), as if using a Cartesian coordinate system.

A Sudoku board with a partially filled grid. The number 5s are highlighted to show the player's progress and where the number has already been placed on the board.

Eliminate by quadrants: The first rule of Sudoku dictates that each 3x3 quadrant must contain all numbers from 1 to 9 only once. 

Consequently, if a quadrant already contains a 5, no other 5 may be placed within it.

An example of the Sudoku scanning strategy. The number 5 is highlighted, and red X's mark cells where a 5 cannot be placed due to existing 5s in the same row, column, and quadrant.

Eliminate by rows: The second rule requires that all numbers in a row are unique. 

Therefore, if a row contains a 5, you must eliminate any possibility of placing another 5 in any empty cell within that same row.

Sudoku Quadrant Elimination

Eliminate by columns: The third rule states that all numbers in a column must be unique. 

Similarly, if a column contains a 5, you must eliminate any possibility of placing another 5 in any empty cell within that same column.

A Sudoku board illustrating an error. A number 5 is placed incorrectly, and an X with a red circle marks a cell in the same row where a 5 already exists, highlighting the invalid move

By systematically applying this process to all instances of the number 5 on the grid, you will deduce the precise location where each 5 must be placed. 

Sudoku Progress View

Once you have done so, apply this same strategy to all other numbers to complete the board and win the game.

Explore Different Game Modes

Microsoft Sudoku goes beyond the classic puzzle, offering unique variations that test your mind in new ways:

Irregular Sudoku 

A Sudoku board showing a number 5 placed after using the elimination strategy, highlighting the progress and the location of other 5s on the board.

The rules for rows, columns, and groups are the same, but the 3x3 quadrants are replaced by irregular-shaped blocks. This forces you to think outside the box, literally. It's an addictive challenge for those who have already mastered the classic mode.

Daily Challenges 

A Microsoft Sudoku puzzle in Ice Breaker mode, showing a grid with blue ice blocks that need to be cleared to reveal the hidden numbers.

New unique puzzles are added every day, including modes like "Ice Breaker," where you have to break ice blocks with a limited number of moves to reveal hidden numbers. It's a great way to keep your mind sharp and earn badges.

Symbol Sudoku (Charms) 

For a different experience, you can replace the numbers with symbols. The rules are exactly the same, but the visual change can be a fun way to train your brain.

A screenshot from the Microsoft Sudoku app showing the Themes menu. The menu displays different visual styles for the game board, including 'Simple,' 'Tiles,' 'Charms,' and 'Black and White.' An arrow points to the Themes icon in the top right corner.

A Microsoft Sudoku board in symbol mode. The numbers are replaced with various symbols like a sun, a star, a paw print, and a four-leaf clover. The player's tools and the bottom number bar are visible with the same symbols.

Where to Play Microsoft Sudoku

Besides Windows, Microsoft Sudoku is available on:

Microsoft Sudoku is a fantastic tool for having fun, relaxing, and exercising your mind. Start with the classic mode, and when you feel confident, venture into the more complex challenges. Good luck and have a great game!

Caio Vinicius

About Caio Vinicius

Founder and writer of the Games Catalogue blog. I have a particular interest in horror and action games, as well as a touch of science fiction.

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