View the example grid
When you keep staring at the same cells, a search order can give you a fresh starting point. Every move should follow from the current grid. A hunch on its own is not a proof.
Start with fewer gaps
Check rows, columns and boxes with few spaces left. One gap gives you the missing digit directly. With several gaps, compare the places still allowed.
A short pass through the grid
Suppose a row is missing 3 and 5. One of its two empty cells cannot hold 3 because of its column. That cell must be 5, leaving 3 for the other. Now recheck the affected columns and boxes. This is an illustration of the search routine, not a complete puzzle walkthrough.
Keep candidates accurate
Record possibilities and update them after a placement. Look for a cell with one candidate or an area where one digit has only one place. Move on to another technique when those simpler checks give you nothing.
Use a hint deliberately
First read which area a Unisu hint points to. Try to follow the idea before opening its next stage. The systematic-solving lesson in the app lets you practice several consecutive moves.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fixed search order help?
It reduces repeated scanning without new information. Start with constrained areas, then examine the candidates affected by each move.
Why not search the entire grid again after every move?
A placement first affects its row, column and box. Checking those areas gives you a smaller, more useful next task.
When should I update my notes?
After a justified placement or elimination. Outdated notes can conceal the next valid step.
What if my routine finds no move?
Check that the candidates are complete and look for a suitable pattern. An explained hint can identify the observation you missed.
Is solving quickly the main goal?
When learning, understanding the reason comes first. A sound observation you can repeat is more useful than a lucky entry.
Keep practicing in Unisu
Download Unisu for iPhone or Android. Solve a puzzle or work through a guided lesson on the technique.
