Variant Sudoku

Diagonal Sudoku (Sudoku X) Explained in One Short Example

0:15 · Diagonals · Variant Sudoku

A 4x4 example marks one diagonal. Two 3s on the same diagonal break the rule, and a 3 and a 7 on it are fine.

Transcript

  1. 0:02Digits can’t repeat along a marked diagonal.
  2. 0:06Two 3s on the diagonal.
  3. 0:09Different digits are fine.

The rule

Diagonal sudoku marks one or both long diagonals of the grid. Digits can't repeat along a marked diagonal, so in a 9x9 grid each marked diagonal holds 1 to 9 exactly once.

A diagonal works like an extra row that runs through three boxes. It gives you another group to check for singles, and every digit on it rules out more cells.

Worth memorizing

  1. A marked diagonal works like an extra row: in a 9×9, it holds 1 to 9 once.

  2. The center cell is on both diagonals when both are marked.

Practice diagonals in the lesson

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