The Diagonal Sudoku

 Sujiken: The Diagonal Sudoku Puzzle

Sudoku puzzles have become a popular pastime for people all over the world. These puzzles, which involve filling a grid with numbers, have captured the imagination of puzzle enthusiasts everywhere. But there is a variation of Sudoku that has been gaining popularity in recent years: Sujiken.

Sujiken, which comes from the Japanese word "sujikai" meaning "diagonal," is a variation of Sudoku that involves diagonal lines in addition to the traditional horizontal and vertical lines. This added complexity makes Sujiken a more challenging and engaging puzzle for those who love a good brain teaser.

The Inventor of Sujiken

The inventor of Sujiken is George Heineman, an American computer scientist who was inspired by his love of Sudoku and his fascination with the mathematical properties of diagonal lines. Heineman first introduced Sujiken to the world in 2005, and it has since gained a loyal following of puzzle enthusiasts.

Rules of Sujiken

Sujiken follows the same basic rules as traditional Sudoku. The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers from 1 to 9, ensuring that each row, column, and 3x3 sub-grid contains each number exactly once. The only difference is the inclusion of diagonal lines, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the puzzle.

In a Sujiken puzzle, the diagonal lines must also contain each number from 1 to 9 exactly once. This means that each of the two diagonals - one from the top left to the bottom right, and the other from the top right to the bottom left - must have nine distinct numbers.

Solving Sujiken

The inclusion of diagonal lines in Sujiken requires a different approach to solving the puzzle compared to traditional Sudoku. Solvers must pay attention to the diagonal lines as well as the horizontal and vertical lines, making it a more challenging puzzle that requires a greater level of concentration and logical thinking.

Despite its added complexity, Sujiken has become a popular puzzle for Sudoku enthusiasts who are looking for a new challenge. There are many online communities dedicated to Sujiken, where enthusiasts can share tips and strategies for solving the puzzle. These communities offer a great way to connect with other puzzle enthusiasts and to learn new techniques for tackling Sujiken puzzles.

Advantages of Sujiken

One of the most appealing aspects of Sujiken is the way it combines the simplicity of Sudoku with the complexity of diagonal lines. It offers a fresh take on a classic puzzle that is beloved by millions of people around the world. The addition of diagonal lines adds a new dimension to the puzzle, challenging solvers to think in new ways and to develop new strategies for tackling the puzzle.

Sujiken has also inspired other variations of Sudoku, such as X-Sudoku, which involves diagonal lines and an "X" shape in the center of the grid. These variations offer a new challenge for Sudoku enthusiasts who have mastered the traditional puzzle and are looking for something new.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sujiken is a challenging and engaging variation of Sudoku that has gained a loyal following of puzzle enthusiasts around the world. Its inclusion of diagonal lines adds a new level of complexity to the puzzle, challenging solvers to think in new ways and to develop new strategies for tackling the puzzle. For those who love a good brain teaser, Sujiken offers a fresh take on a classic puzzle that is sure to provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.