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How to become a sudoku expert

Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle that people of all ages enjoy playing. Aside from being fun to play, it greatly benefits your mental and physical health.

Age Times UK Editors - 4 Min Read
Last updated and fact checked:
How to become a sudoku expert
  • Sudoku is a puzzle-solving game that has levels ranging from beginner to expert.
  • Seniors who engage in Sudoku have superior performance in reasoning, attention and memory.
  • A range of sudoku techniques can be used to enhance playing performance.
  • A key strategy for becoming an expert sudoku player is to play various Sudoku puzzles.

Becoming a sudoku expert: FAQs

  • How many puzzles does a sudoku expert solve in a day?

    An expert-level sudoku player may solve 1-2 puzzles daily to keep their mind sharp. As with most mental games, the more you play, the better you become. So by playing new games daily, you can start to see patterns appearing and develop the ability to capture opportunities more quickly.

  • What is the occupation of a sudoku expert?

    There is no one defined occupation of a sudoku expert. However, being an expert at Sudoku shows that the person has a wide range of skills, including concentration, focus, mathematics, and problem-solving. These skills, among others, can be applied to various careers such as engineering, teaching, or computer programming.

  • What is an example of a career that a person could have that is related to Sudoku?

    If you are an expert at Sudoku and enjoy playing puzzles that require problem-solving, many careers may suit you. Career options related to Sudoku include cryptography, ethical hacking, archaeology, and forensic analysis.

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Whether you are a new sudoku player or have been playing for years, with some skill, practice and patience, you too can become a master at it. 

How do I play Sudoku?

Sudoku rules are pretty straightforward. The aim of the game is to fill a 9x9 square with numbers from 1 to 9 without any repetition in rows, columns, or the smaller 3x3 squares that make up the larger square.

What is a sudoku expert?

Although there is no defined explanation for a sudoku expert, they can be characterised as people who can solve very challenging levels of sudoku games. 

Experienced sudoku players have an advanced skill level and are usually inclined to play expert Sudoku, available on sites like sudoku.com. These are the most complex Sudoku puzzle levels, identified by the fact only a few starting numbers are in the Sudoku square. 

Solving a sudoku puzzle requires patience, time, and attention. It can take the average person anywhere between 20 - 30 minutes to solve easy Sudoku. Hard-level sudoku puzzles will take longer as they require much more attention and patience. 

What are the benefits of playing Sudoku? 

The main benefit is, of course, having fun! Playing Sudoku is a great way to pass the time enjoyably. It can also be a great relaxation technique. Taking a short break from your busy day and keeping your brain active by playing can help you to relax and manage stress.

Aside from that, you may be surprised to hear that Sudoku can also have many great benefits for your mind and body. For example, playing Sudoku regularly can help your concentration, boost your memory, and enhance your learning. In addition, many online Sudoku games are timed; remembering how to do something in a set amount of time can help improve your memory and concentration. 

Performing the mental maths of Sudoku is an excellent way of keeping our brains quick and sharp. This is because the brain, like the rest of the muscles in our bodies, gets stronger and more efficient with use.

Experts also believe that Sudoku can help to eliminate brain fog. A recent study has proven that both the medial and lateral regions of the brain's PFC (prefrontal cortex) are activated when playing Sudoku. So by playing Sudoku regularly, you can help ease any brain fog symptoms you may be experiencing, such as confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus and mental clarity. 

What are the best Sudoku solving techniques? 

A standard sudoku puzzle will help you get started by providing some correct numbers - the fewer numbers provided, the more challenging the game will be. By having a few techniques up your sleeve, you'll be playing at expert levels in no time. 

Naked pairs 

This is when two pencil marks appear in two cells within the same row, column, or block. This means these two cells form a naked pair, referred to as 'naked' because the pair of candidates is by itself and not with any other digits. 

Hidden pairs 

This technique occurs when two pencil marks appear in two cells within the same row, column, or block. What makes them 'hidden' instead of 'naked' is that there is at least one other digit also pencil marked in at least one of these cells.

Open singles 

An open single is one of the easiest ways to fill a cell in Sudoku. It simply means there is a row, column, or block that is only missing one number, so you identify the number that isn't there and put it in. 

In addition to those listed above, you can find more advanced techniques such as x-wing, swordfish, and XY wing. These require you to look past the 3x3 blocks and demand very high concentration levels to eliminate numbers and find the solution for a specific cell within the sudoku grid. 

Boosting your brain with Sudoku

Playing Sudoku is a great way to spend your free time. By playing a new puzzle daily, you can enhance your skill level and become a Sudoku expert in no time. You can access sudoku games in many ways, including books, online games, printable games, and phone or tablet apps. 


If you want to play games that help keep your brain sharp but don't think that Sudoku is for you, click here for a selection of the best online games to keep your mind in tip-top shape.

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