Logic Puzzle Explainers
Sudoku belongs to a whole world of pencil-and-paper logic puzzles, many from the Japanese publisher Nikoli. These explainers introduce one puzzle at a time, from Kakuro, Nonograms and Slitherlink to lesser-known gems like Nurikabe, Masyu, Shakashaka and Yin-Yang. Each piece gives the rules, a small worked example, beginner tactics, and how the puzzle compares to Sudoku.
If you love the deduction in Sudoku, you will find plenty to enjoy here. They all reward the same patient, no-guessing mindset, just applied to loops, regions, shading or numbers instead of a 9 by 9 grid.
7 articles in this collection
What Is a Water Sort Puzzle? A Simple Explanation
A water sort puzzle asks you to pour mixed colors between containers until each one holds a single color. Here is how the genre works.
What Is a Nonogram? Picture Puzzles Explained
Nonograms use number clues along the edges to reveal a hidden picture. Here is how the puzzle works and how to start solving.
What Is a Logic Grid Puzzle?
The classic who owns the zebra style puzzle, solved with a grid of clues. How logic grid puzzles work and how to start.
What Is a Word Search, and How to Get Faster
Word searches are relaxing and great for focus. Learn how they work and a few habits that make you noticeably quicker.
What Is Minesweeper, and How to Play It Well
Minesweeper is pure deduction under a grid of numbers. Learn the rules and the logic that lets you clear it without luck.
What Is Kakuro, and How Do You Play It
Kakuro is a crossword built from sums instead of words. Learn the rules and the simple tricks that crack it open.
What Is a BUG in Sudoku
The Bivalue Universal Grave is a uniqueness trick. When the board is almost all pairs, one cell is forced. Learn the BUG.