Difficult Sudoku Six Logic Puzzles (Vol 1) Step-by-Step Instructions for Puzzle 33   (27/36) Diff: 11/411.A114.3362 The numbers in the puzzle below refer to the step number at which the value of the location can be deduced. Locations without step numbers contain the initial values found in corresponding puzzle in your edition of the book.

Rows are numbered top to bottom, columns from left to right, and rectangles from left to right and then top to bottom. Coordinates are (col, row). Precise details on numbering within each group are specified in the on-line instructions for 'Sudoku-Junior' puzzles.

Step 1. There are 4 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 6 in the 1st column is at (1, 6).
• The only spot left for 6 in the 3rd 3x2 rectangle is at (2, 4).
• The only spot left for 1 in the 3rd 3x2 rectangle is at (3, 3).
• The only spot left for 5 in the 5th 3x2 rectangle is at (2, 5).

Step 2. There is 1 independent move.

• The only spot left for 2 in the 5th 3x2 rectangle is at (3, 6).

Step 3. There is 1 independent move.

• The only spot left for 3 in the 5th 3x2 rectangle is at (2, 6).

Step 4. There is 1 independent move.

• 2 must be placed at (4, 5) because it is the only value left that is not already in the 5th row, the 4th column or the 6th 3x2 rectangle.

Step 5. There is 1 independent move.

• The only spot left for 2 in the 4th 3x2 rectangle is at (6, 4).

Step 6. There is 1 independent move.

• The only spot left for 3 in the 4th row is at (3, 4).

Step 7. There are 4 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 5 in the 4th row is at (4, 4).
• The only spot left for 5 in the 3rd column is at (3, 2).
• The only spot left for 3 in the 1st 3x2 rectangle is at (1, 2).
• The only spot left for 5 in the 3rd 3x2 rectangle is at (1, 3).

Step 8. There are 3 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 2 in the 2nd row is at (5, 2).
• The only spot left for 2 in the 1st 3x2 rectangle is at (1, 1).
• The only spot left for 5 in the 2nd 3x2 rectangle is at (6, 1).

Step 9. There are 3 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 1 in the 1st row is at (2, 1).
• The only spot left for 6 in the 5th column is at (5, 5).
• The only spot left for 6 in the 2nd 3x2 rectangle is at (6, 2).

Step 10. There are 6 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 4 in the 1st row is at (5, 1).
• The only spot left for 3 in the 5th column is at (5, 3).
• The only spot left for 1 in the 6th column is at (6, 6).
• The only spot left for 4 in the 1st 3x2 rectangle is at (2, 2).
• The only spot left for 1 in the 2nd 3x2 rectangle is at (4, 2).
• The only spot left for 3 in the 6th 3x2 rectangle is at (6, 5).

Step 11. There are 2 independent moves.

• The only spot left for 4 in the 4th 3x2 rectangle is at (6, 3).
• The only spot left for 4 in the 6th 3x2 rectangle is at (4, 6).