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Non-Consecutive Sudoku

Non-Consecutive Sudoku adds an extra challenge to the classic puzzle. Follow the standard Sudoku rules, but make sure that horizontally and vertically adjacent cells never contain consecutive numbers.…

LEVELMediumBUILDSLogic, concentration, candidate elimination, number relationships, deductive reasoning

Also known as: Nonconsecutive Sudoku, Non-Consecutive Sudoku

NPuzzle typeSudoku Variant
HOW IT WORKS

What is Non-Consecutive Sudoku?

Non-Consecutive Sudoku adds an extra challenge to the classic puzzle. Follow the standard Sudoku rules, but make sure that horizontally and vertically adjacent cells never contain consecutive numbers. In this wrap-around version, cells on opposite edges of the grid are also treated as adjacent.

THE RULES

Simple rules, satisfying logic

Keep these rules in mind while solving.

  1. Follow the standard Sudoku rules: each row, column, and box must contain every number exactly once.

  2. Orthogonally adjacent cells must not contain consecutive numbers.

  3. Numbers are consecutive when they differ by exactly 1, such as 2 and 3 or 5 and 6.

  4. Cells that touch only at a corner are not considered adjacent.

  5. The non-consecutive rule applies to every pair of horizontally or vertically adjacent cells.

  6. The grid wraps around its edges: the first and last cells of each row are treated as adjacent.

  7. The first and last cells of each column are also treated as adjacent.

STEP-BY-STEP

How to start solving

A calm path from the first observation to the final answer.

  1. 1

    Apply the standard Sudoku rules

    Begin by checking the rows, columns, and boxes. Eliminate any number that already appears in the same row, column, or box.

  2. 2

    Check adjacent cells

    For every placed number, examine the cells directly above, below, left, and right. These adjacent cells cannot contain a number that is one lower or one higher.

  3. 3

    Remove consecutive candidates

    If a cell contains 3, remove 2 and 4 from all orthogonally adjacent cells. Continue applying this rule whenever a new number is placed.

  4. 4

    Use candidate pairs

    When a cell can contain one of two consecutive values, both values may be eliminated from an adjacent cell. For example, if a cell is either 3 or 4, an adjacent cell cannot be 3 or 4.

  5. 5

    Check the wrapped edges

    Remember that opposite edges are connected. The first and last cells in each row must be non-consecutive, and the top and bottom cells in each column must also be non-consecutive.

  6. 6

    Combine both rule sets

    A valid number must satisfy both the standard Sudoku rules and the non-consecutive rule. Compare every candidate with its row, column, box, and adjacent cells.

  7. 7

    Repeat until complete

    Continue scanning the grid, removing impossible candidates, and placing numbers with only one valid position until the puzzle is solved.

KEEP EXPLORING

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