The Times Fiendish Su Doku -

When I started this book I was fairly clueless about how to solve Fiendish and Superfiendish Su Doku puzzles. I took note of some advice (mainly to not use too many pencil marks, usually no more than two in any cell). The author has often said that there is an inner logic to the puzzles that is there to see if you think in the right way rather than trying to solve it by some inflexible computation. After a few false starts I got into the right mindset by following that advice. I even came to realise that many Fiendish Su Doku puzzles are not really very difficult. I found that the vast majority of puzzles can be solved by identifying pairs. I also realised that I had been using x-wings a lot to solve Killer Su Doku puzzles but in a limited way. Once realised it was easy to adapt and I found that x-wings were the most frequent way of getting unstuck. The ones that are only solvable by Swordfish or other techniques not based on pairs arrive in the hardest puzzles at the end. I still find these quite difficult although sometimes a Superfiendish can be really easy for reasons I don't really understand.

The strange thing about Fiendish puzzles is that the ones at the beginning of the book are relatively easy and they get more difficult as the book progresses. So it is not advisable to do them in random order assuming Fiendish puzzles are all equally difficult.

The journey was a lot of fun.

Not suitable for all levels (3/3 people found this helpful)

In The Times, there are several different levels of Su Doku, namely Easy, Mild, Difficult, Fiendish and Super Fiendish.
Clearly anyone who struggles with an easy or mild su doku will not have a hope of tackling a fiendish or super fiendish one. Likewise, those of us who rise to the challenge of Fiendish and Super Fiendish find the easy, mild and difficult ones a walk in the park.
Therefore I feel this book is too widespread to appeal to any particular individual. I would recommend instead purcahsing the Times book on su doku with the level to suit the individual. To get some idea what that level is, try some Su Dokus in the Times (which you can do online).

Don't be fooled! (5/6 people found this helpful)

Be aware that this is the same book as New York Post Su Doku Fiendish. Different ISBN numbers, different covers, different titles but exactly the same 200 puzzles in exactly the same order.

Brilliant! (1/2 people found this helpful)

I remember my grandmother giving me this, over a year and a half ago. The embarrassing thing is - I still haven't finished it yet! Its great to just dip in and into, it varies, sometimes I spend ages thinking through the puzzles and others it comes instantly, then sometimes I look for ages and I can't find the next number! There are four levels, Easy, Mild, Difficult and Fiendish, I can at least say that I'm now onto the Fiendish. There are four easy puzzles to begin with, great to start you off getting the hang or just for a bit of fun, then 25 Milds, still fairly easy but take a bit longer. Then Difficult, most enjoyable for those who aren't really addicted yet! Then 25 Fiendish to finish of the 100 puzzles, they are tough to most, but hey, given time. Sometimes I spend ages at work on them, others I forget the book competely! Its not that addictive, but watch out if you have loads of free time! Complete with Solutions at the back, maybe not the best idea, I've caught myself cheating a few times :( On the whole well worth forking out for

Excellent - Su Doku just how it should be! (1/1 people found this helpful)

This is easily the best book of Su Doku puzzles I've ever had. It offers proper Su Dokus, not for the feint hearted. Really one for those who love a challenge.
Being the very difficult they do take your time, but it's a great feeling once one has reached the solution. The book consists of 190 Fiendish Su Dokus and 10 Super Fiendish. If this sounds too tricky, there are similar books available with "easy", "moderate" and "difficult" su dokus. To get a feel which are right for you, try attempting the puzzles in The Times newspaper.
I like the hardest ones, and feel that this is one of the very few excellent books available solely aimed for that level.

The Times Fiendish Su Doku

Reader Reviews:

Fiendish Su Doku (1/1 people found this helpful)

Not suitable for all levels (3/3 people found this helpful)

Don't be fooled! (5/6 people found this helpful)

Brilliant! (1/2 people found this helpful)

Excellent - Su Doku just how it should be! (1/1 people found this helpful)

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