It is now three years since I first asked for support, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me. BrainBashers doesn't show adverts, and I continue to depend on the ongoing support from everyone who enjoys the site.
The full reasoning can be found below the Sudoku.
Nov 02 - Hard
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
Share link: https://www.brainbashers.com/
Reasoning
R2C2 can only be <8>
R1C1 can only be <6>
R1C3 can only be <9>
R3C1 can only be <1>
R3C3 can only be <2>
R9C1 can only be <7>
R5C1 can only be <8>
R7C1 can only be <4>
R3C5 is the only square in row 3 that can be <6>
R8C2 is the only square in row 8 that can be <6>
R5C3 is the only square in row 5 that can be <6>
R6C3 is the only square in column 3 that can be <7>
R4C3 is the only square in column 3 that can be <4>
Intersection of row 8 with block 8. The value <2> only appears in one or more of squares R8C4, R8C5 and R8C6 of row 8. These squares are the ones that intersect with block 8. Thus, the other (non-intersecting) squares of block 8 cannot contain this value.
R9C5 - removing <2> from <1235> leaving <135>
Intersection of column 9 with block 3. The value <8> only appears in one or more of squares R1C9, R2C9 and R3C9 of column 9. These squares are the ones that intersect with block 3. Thus, the other (non-intersecting) squares of block 3 cannot contain this value.
R1C7 - removing <8> from <578> leaving <57>
R3C7 - removing <8> from <4589> leaving <459>
Intersection of block 5 with column 5. The value <8> only appears in one or more of squares R4C5, R5C5 and R6C5 of block 5. These squares are the ones that intersect with column 5. Thus, the other (non-intersecting) squares of column 5 cannot contain this value.
R1C5 - removing <8> from <578> leaving <57>
R7C5 - removing <8> from <135789> leaving <13579>
R1C9 is the only square in row 1 that can be <8>
R3C9 can only be <5>
R1C7 can only be <7>
R1C5 can only be <5>
Squares R2C6 and R2C8 in row 2 form a simple naked pair. These 2 squares both contain the 2 possibilities <49>. Since each of the squares must contain one of the possibilities, they can be eliminated from the other squares in the row.
R2C4 - removing <9> from <279> leaving <27>
R2C5 - removing <9> from <279> leaving <27>
Squares R4C5 and R6C5 in column 5 form a simple naked pair. These 2 squares both contain the 2 possibilities <18>. Since each of the squares must contain one of the possibilities, they can be eliminated from the other squares in the column.
R7C5 - removing <1> from <1379> leaving <379>
R9C5 - removing <1> from <13> leaving <3>
R9C9 can only be <2>
R9C7 can only be <5>
R9C3 can only be <1>
R7C3 can only be <5>
R5C7 is the only square in row 5 that can be <2>
R7C6 is the only square in row 7 that can be <1>
R7C4 is the only square in row 7 that can be <8>
R3C4 can only be <9>
R3C7 can only be <4>
R5C4 can only be <5>
R2C6 can only be <4>
R3C6 can only be <8>
R6C7 can only be <8>
R2C8 can only be <9>
R5C6 can only be <9>
R8C6 can only be <5>
R6C5 can only be <1>
R4C7 can only be <3>
R8C8 can only be <7>
R7C7 can only be <9>
R5C9 can only be <7>
R5C8 can only be <1>
R7C9 can only be <3>
R6C2 can only be <5>
R4C5 can only be <8>
R7C5 can only be <7>
R8C4 can only be <2>
R5C2 can only be <3>
R4C8 can only be <5>
R6C8 can only be <4>
R4C2 can only be <1>
R2C5 can only be <2>
R8C5 can only be <9>
R2C4 can only be <7>
Today's Sudoku Puzzles
All daily items change at midnight GMT – set your local time zone.
Note: BrainBashers has a Dark Mode option. For BrainBashers, I'd recommend not using your browser's built-in dark mode, or any dark mode extensions (sometimes you can add an exception for a specific website).