Just for fun and kudos, I am holding a competition for the 'easiest Sudoku puzzle'. Many people like to try their hand at creating Sudoku puzzles - and it's a fun process. But sometimes when you are searching for a difficult puzzle a dead easy one pops out. Now, instead of throwing it away, perhaps it can find a little glory on this page.

The rules are simple: The puzzle must have

1. a single solution and
2. a maximum of 31 clues
3. beat the Eric Cole's Sudoku now in the solver as the 'Easiest Sudoku" - which scores 11. The grading must occur before you press "Take Step".
4. Less clues beats same score entry with more clues

To be the current winner your puzzle must demonstrate a smaller grade (although I'd be happy to list equal winners). UPDATE: . Since 2 is concievably the lowest score, new winners will have to have less clues that than the current winner.

I'm very pleased to start this competition with an entry from Eric Cole in Oregon, USA, which scores 11. I have received excellent contributions from Will Gibson, David Filmer, lmars Cirulis and Mats Anderbok. You can load their puzzles by clicking on them:


Joint Winner 16th December 2023, (Score 3, 31 clues), Ilmars Cirulis

..4...2.6
2..3..8.1
.....2.3.
....1...4
..3.5..8.
.26..4.75
14.578...
5....341.
7....6.2.


Joint Winner 7th May 2010, (Score 3, 31 clues), Ilmars Cirulis

6.....9.1
5286....3
...547..2
914...6..
.6.2.8...
.7...9..5
......187
..3.5..4.
29.8.....


Winner 25th October 2009, (Score 4, 31 clues), David Filmer
8...62.5.
539.8.7..
....3.14.
621.....3
.7....4..
..5....9.
...9..872
248..1...
3...5.6..


Winner 15th June 2010, (Score 4, 31 clues), David Filmer
2...5..48
5713.....
...96..7.
...2381..
86.1....9
7......52
489..7...
.3.64.2..
..5......



Winner 10th October 2009, (Score 4), Mats Anderbok
4..2..95.
83..6.7..
.6.1....2
7.5..8.2.
...432...
.....9168
6.....391
24.5...8.
.1..7....


Winner 5th June 2009, (Score 6), Will Gibson
7......98
.9162..74
.4..3....
.3..9....
.123.456.
....6..2.
....7..4.
37..4561.
85......9

Winner 29th May 2009, (Score 6), Tobias Santschi
...967..1
.4.3...8.
.2.....7.
173....9.
...8.35.6
5...1....
..4..51..
9.5...2.7
83.621..4


Winner 18th May 2009, (Score 6), Will Gibson
1234.....
5..8..26.
8..7..91.
4371.....
.........
.....6489
.12..3..7
.86..5..2
.....7896


First Winner (Score 11), Eric Cole , 6th May 2009
3..967..1
.4.3.2.8.
.2.....7.
.7.....9.
...873...
5...1...3
..47.51..
9.5...2.7
8..621..4

Send your entries to me via the Feedback form.

Best of luck!

Andrew Stuart