1 Start at the right level
The fastest growth comes from establishing a no-mistake flow at a level you can actually handle. On Day 1 choose Easy; your aim is not a speed PB but to finish without breaking the logic chain. When you can clear three Easy puzzles in a row error-free, move to Medium. Jumping to Hard/Expert too early nudges you into guessing and kills enjoyment.
Rules of thumb: Easy in 15–25 minutes, 0–1 errors, notes consistently refreshed after each placement—once that’s stable, you’re ready.
2 Quick rules & first-time setup
On a 9×9 grid, every row, column, and 3×3 box must contain 1–9 without repeats. Givens are fixed. No luck—deduction rules.
- UI: light/dark theme, one-hand input, notes (pencil marks) ON.
- Note style: write plausible candidates only; avoid visual noise.
- Goal: finish error-free; ignore time during week one.
The rules are simple; what matters is the order of application.
3 Core method: scanning & singles
Scanning: read the grid from broad to narrow. For each unit, list the missing digits and mentally “mark” feasible cells. Even before you write notes, you’re shrinking the search space.
- Naked Single: a cell with exactly one candidate is solved.
- Hidden Single: a digit that can appear in only one cell of a unit is mandatory.
Make these two patterns automatic. After every placement, immediately refresh notes in the affected row/column/box—this rhythm slashes errors and keeps the chain alive.
4 Your first puzzle in 10 steps
- 1) Scan dense boxes: high fill ratio often yields quick gains.
- 2) List what’s missing per unit.
- 3) Spot squeezes: digits confined to 2–3 cells guide the path.
- 4) Sweep naked singles.
- 5) Hunt hidden singles across units.
- 6) Place & clean: remove affected candidates right after placement.
- 7) Rotate focus when stuck: box → row → column.
- 8) Note economy: plausible over “everything possible”.
- 9) Micro-chains: one correct digit unlocks another—ride the momentum.
- 10) Final scan before closing.
This decalog removes the need to guess. Speed follows once discipline is in place.
5 Gentle ramp to “plus” techniques
- Pointing / Claiming: if a digit within a box is confined to a single row (or column), remove it from that line outside the box.
- Naked Pair / Triple: two/three cells holding identical candidates let you erase them elsewhere in the unit.
- Pattern reading: simple alignments pave the way for X-Wing and friends.
Before dreaming of Swordfish/Coloring/Chains, install singles flow + pointing/claiming. That’s the bridge to stable Medium.
6 7-day plan (20–30 minutes/day)
- Day 1: Easy ×2. Goal: error-free; time irrelevant.
- Day 2: Easy ×2 + Medium ×1. Singles + note discipline.
- Day 3: Medium ×2. Practice pointing/claiming.
- Day 4: Medium ×2 + Easy ×1. Introduce Naked Pair.
- Day 5: Medium ×3. No guessing allowed.
- Day 6: Medium ×2. When stuck, rotate region & rescan.
- Day 7: Medium ×1 + Hard ×1 (taster). No time pressure.
End each day with a 2-minute error journal: where you stalled, where you delayed updating notes, which technique you skipped. Tag anything that repeats thrice and review it first the next day.
7 Metrics that matter
- Error-free completion rate: 30–50% at start; target 80%+.
- Average time: Easy 15–25 min; Medium 25–40 min.
- Note density: can you keep clarity with fewer notes?
- Hard stalls: reduce “no progress” moments frequency.
Enable timer & stats on Ozerlyn Sudoku. Routine fuels growth.
8 10 common mistakes & fixes
- Writing every candidate everywhere: visual noise—note only plausible ones.
- Not refreshing notes after placements: breaks logic. Rule:
Place → Clean.
- Tunneling on one area: rotate after ~30 seconds without progress.
- Forgetting technique: keep a mini checklist (Singles → Pointing → Pair).
- Guessing: banned in week one; speed later.
- Trusting high fill blindly: not always the easiest—seek contradictions.
- Ignoring boxes: rows/columns aren’t the whole story.
- Time pressure: ignore the clock early on.
- Clinging to doubtful entries: undo & rescan.
- Starting on Hard: demotivating—climb steadily.
9 Interface & setup tips
- Visual comfort: dark/light, large font, high contrast.
- One-hand use: thumb-friendly layout on mobile.
- Error-free mode & undo: risk-free sandbox while learning.
- Shortcuts (desktop): 1–9 digits,
Backspace delete, Shift for notes.
These trims smooth the learning curve—you’ll feel the difference within the first week.
10 Bridge to solid Medium
Once singles + pointing/claiming flow reliably at Medium, add “Naked Pair/Triple”. Before touching Hard, ensure this trio works—guaranteed progress without guesses. Then taste X-Wing patterns.
Practice daily sets on Ozerlyn Sudoku and track stats. Guiding question: was today more orderly than yesterday?
Conclusion A good start = lasting fun
The best start combines right level, tight note discipline and progress without guessing. In week one, cement singles & scanning, use pointing/claiming as the bridge and measure your progress. Small, consistent steps turn Sudoku into a lifelong mental ritual.