In such cases, I usually fill all the empty cells with the probable numbers that can fit in that cell. For eg, I place the numbers 278 if these three numbers have a chance of being placed in a cell. With all empty cells having such probable numbers, it is easy to apply some deduction logic to narrow down the correct numbers.
Filling in the probable numbers is a tedious task. I came up with a simple java code that would help in filling the numbers (just the hint, not the actual answers).
Instruction to use the code:
- Install watij as mentioned at http://watij.com/webspec-api/
- Copy the java code I had placed in the comment section (placed in 3 comments due to comment size restriction)
- run the java code along with the classpath pointing to watij class and jars
- This will open a window and websudoku site is opened
- Settings page is accessed automatically and few settings are tweaked
- once you get the puzzle page, play it as you would do in normal manner
- When you get stuck, click on the 'Done' button in the top panel. The button name is marked as 'pauseUntil'
- we should have numbers filled now. Once that happens, continue with the game
Happy sudoku.
