In Sudoku "Su" means number in Japanese language, and "Doku" refers to the single place on the puzzle board that each number can fit into. It also connotes someone who is single—indeed, one way to describe the game is "Solitaire with numbers." Sometimes it is mis-spelled as "soduko" or "sudoko." Although its name is Japanese, its origins are actually European and American, and the game represents the best in cross-cultural fertilization. Unlike many games which spring from one culture and are then absorbed by others, Sudoku's development reveals it to be a true hybrid creation.
Sudoku's future development is unknown. While the 9 by 9 grid is the most common form of Sudoku, there are many variants of the game. Four by four (4 x 4) Sudoku with 2 by 2 subsections are simpler, fun for younger audiences, and easy to deliver to mobile devices like cellphones (this site offers a 4 by 4 variant). There are 5 by 5 games, 6 by 6 and 7 by 7 games. For the truly addicted, there are even 16 by 16 grids, not to mention a 25 by 25 grid apparently offered by Japanese game developer Nikoli. Sudoku puzzles using letters and symbols, some even spelling words in their final solutions are also becoming available. Other variants require computational skills.
The closest puzzle to compare to Sudoku is perhaps the humble jigsaw. There are similarities both in the way it works and the pleasure gained by solving it. In a jigsaw there are lots of pieces to fit in a particular grid, there is only one solution and (normally!) each piece can only go in one place. Sudoku is somewhat similar in that is a matter of putting things in the right place. If you like doing jigsaws you'll probably enjoy Sudoku too.
Sudoku's future development is unknown. While the 9 by 9 grid is the most common form of Sudoku, there are many variants of the game. Four by four (4 x 4) Sudoku with 2 by 2 subsections are simpler, fun for younger audiences, and easy to deliver to mobile devices like cellphones (this site offers a 4 by 4 variant). There are 5 by 5 games, 6 by 6 and 7 by 7 games. For the truly addicted, there are even 16 by 16 grids, not to mention a 25 by 25 grid apparently offered by Japanese game developer Nikoli. Sudoku puzzles using letters and symbols, some even spelling words in their final solutions are also becoming available. Other variants require computational skills.
The closest puzzle to compare to Sudoku is perhaps the humble jigsaw. There are similarities both in the way it works and the pleasure gained by solving it. In a jigsaw there are lots of pieces to fit in a particular grid, there is only one solution and (normally!) each piece can only go in one place. Sudoku is somewhat similar in that is a matter of putting things in the right place. If you like doing jigsaws you'll probably enjoy Sudoku too.
Anil Kapoor
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