Sudoku puzzles The modern version of Sudoku was invented in 1979 by Howard Garns in USA (where it was called `Number Place').  It became really popular in Japan in the 1980s and in the UK since late 2004. It is now quickly spreading worldwide.  The word Sudoku is an abbreviation of a phrase which means “the digits must occur only once”. The aim of a Sudoku puzzle is to fill in the grid so that each row, each column and each box contains all the numbers, once only. Usually the grid is 9 by 9, using the numbers from 1 to 9, but the easier grids are smaller, using numbers from 1 to 4 or 1 to 6. Simple eh! Of course not!  Sometimes it is easy but often it can be fiendishly difficult. But it's fun and children can quickly learn strategies to be more successful. We have already published several sets of puzzles which cover: 1. Easier. A 4 by 4 grid to start off, leading to a 6 by 6 grid. 2. Medium. 9 by 9 grids, but with plenty of numbers already in place and some helpful clues. This week we have just published some great new sets of puzzles: 3. Hard. The hard puzzles have less numbers already in place and require more strategies to be used. 4. Fiendish. Only for experts and you might need help with these! Go to Sudoku puzzles