Announcing "LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contests"
@ 2012-07-19 11:18 AM (#7911) (#7911) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-19 11:18 AM

Purpose

LMI has been running monthly contests for a long time now, but we have had little success in attracting many Indian players. During the Time Sudoku Championship, we had a chance to interact with many Sudoku lovers, and we realize that there are 2 main problems for which many Indian players do not seriously participate in these monthly tests. 1) Most of the variants are new to them 2) Sudokus are in general tougher than what they have solved in news papers.
Keeping these in mind, we decided to start "LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contests" - where our target participants are players who have mostly solved Classic sudokus in the past. These contests will be held once a month, and will contain mostly easy / medium level Sudokus.

Round Structure

We will start with 2 rounds per contest, exactly the same way the Qualifying rounds were held in different cities.
Each round will be of 30 minutes and 30 points. (Edit : Changed to 40 minutes each round)
First round will have 4 Classics.
Second round will have 4 variations.
As mentioned above, Sudokus will be much easier and we expect many players to get bonus points (which will be 1 point per every minute saved if all 4 Sudokus are correct). This will be computed upto seconds.
Every month 2 variations will be repeated from last month, and 2 new variations will be introduced.
The contest will open for one week, so that players can participate at their own comfort.

Difficulty of Sudokus

We will target to have 75% easy Sudokus and 25% medium level Sudokus. The timing of 40 minutes is set such that most solvers will be able to solve at least 75% of the Sudokus, and good solvers can certainly aim for time bonus.


Frequency

We'll run one contest once every month, till end of this year.
Beginning 2013, we will review if we need to increase / decrease the frequency.


What about top Solvers?

Any solver with a LMI rating of 500+ will have their own target to match. For example, a solver with LMI rating 800 will be expected to solve all sudokus with 15 minutes bonus in each round. Details will be available in the Instruction booklet when we release.

@ 2012-07-19 11:43 AM (#7914 - in reply to #7911) (#7914) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-19 11:43 AM

Suggestion - Keep a target for everyone, including newcomers, so that everyone has something to play for.
@ 2012-07-19 12:09 PM (#7916 - in reply to #7911) (#7916) Top

macherlakumar




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macherlakumar posted @ 2012-07-19 12:09 PM

This is a very good initiative. I think this will improve my Sudoku solving skills.

Regards,
Ravi
@ 2012-07-19 3:02 PM (#7918 - in reply to #7914) (#7918) Top

vopani



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vopani posted @ 2012-07-19 3:02 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-07-19 11:43 AM

Suggestion - Keep a target for everyone, including newcomers, so that everyone has something to play for.

How can you keep a target for everyone? We would have no clue about the skills of newcomers. And if a newcomer does not achieve her/his target, there is disappointment for the player which is exactly what we have to avoid.

In fact, we can keep it open for longer, so that more players can submit all sudokus. Completing all sudokus within time certainly gives pleasure and I don't see any reason why we cannot have 100 players submitting before time. The time-stamp will anyway separate them with ranks.
@ 2012-07-19 3:31 PM (#7920 - in reply to #7918) (#7920) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2012-07-19 3:31 PM

Rohan Rao - 2012-07-19 3:02 PM

In fact, we can keep it open for longer, so that more players can submit all sudokus. Completing all sudokus within time certainly gives pleasure and I don't see any reason why we cannot have 100 players submitting before time. The time-stamp will anyway separate them with ranks.

1) Lets try to replicate the same model we had in Times Sudoku Championship.
2) I'm not exactly for keeping it open for longer period. The competitiveness might die.
@ 2012-07-19 3:47 PM (#7921 - in reply to #7918) (#7921) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-19 3:47 PM

Rohan Rao - 2012-07-19 3:02 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-07-19 11:43 AM

Suggestion - Keep a target for everyone, including newcomers, so that everyone has something to play for.

How can you keep a target for everyone? We would have no clue about the skills of newcomers. And if a newcomer does not achieve her/his target, there is disappointment for the player which is exactly what we have to avoid.


Like the topic start says, ratings. By newcomers I didn't necessarily mean people who're participating for the very first time.

About keeping it open longer, I think we must balance competitiveness with interest in solving. So, I suggest some way of keeping the submissions and grading open for the duration of the contest even after the half an hour, unofficially, just to know if the person has solved it right.

Edited by prasanna16391 2012-07-19 3:47 PM
@ 2012-07-20 9:46 AM (#7936 - in reply to #7911) (#7936) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-07-20 9:46 AM

PERFECT FORMAT.....we may add 6x6 sprints also in some of the rounds...maybe later on

Edited by neerajmehrotra 2012-07-20 11:34 AM
@ 2012-07-20 12:28 PM (#7937 - in reply to #7911) (#7937) Top

mahaveer



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mahaveer posted @ 2012-07-20 12:28 PM

how to register for lmi begineers sudoku....
and when is the test

Edited by mahaveer 2012-07-20 12:29 PM
@ 2012-07-20 1:06 PM (#7938 - in reply to #7937) (#7938) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-20 1:06 PM

mahaveer - 2012-07-20 12:28 PM

how to register for lmi begineers sudoku....
and when is the test


No special registrations required. As long as you are a member here you can participate. The test will be held at the end of each month and this month's will be announced soon.

Edited by prasanna16391 2012-07-20 1:06 PM
@ 2012-07-20 8:07 PM (#7939 - in reply to #7911) (#7939) Top

dreamsudoko



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dreamsudoko posted @ 2012-07-20 8:07 PM

is their any prize for the winner or it's just for practice .......
@ 2012-07-20 11:17 PM (#7941 - in reply to #7939) (#7941) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-07-20 11:17 PM

dreamsudoko - 2012-07-20 8:07 PM

is their any prize for the winner or it's just for practice .......


NO PRIZES......it is only for practice.....
@ 2012-07-21 5:32 AM (#7945 - in reply to #7939) (#7945) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-21 5:32 AM

dreamsudoko - 2012-07-20 8:07 PM

is their any prize for the winner or it's just for practice .......


Practice, fun, thrill of competition. ;)
@ 2012-07-21 10:00 AM (#7950 - in reply to #7939) (#7950) Top

Organisers



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Organisers posted @ 2012-07-21 10:00 AM

dreamsudoko - 2012-07-20 8:07 PM

is their any prize for the winner or it's just for practice .......
That is a good question in my opinion. Why should someone participate every month?

I hope you were not expecting any monetary prize. LMI struggles to pay for running this website itself.
@ 2012-07-21 3:48 PM (#7954 - in reply to #7950) (#7954) Top

dreamsudoko



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dreamsudoko posted @ 2012-07-21 3:48 PM

no problem,i am still an LMI fan & will participate every month.
@ 2012-07-22 12:21 PM (#7959 - in reply to #7911) (#7959) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-22 12:21 PM

good initiative
@ 2012-07-22 12:42 PM (#7961 - in reply to #7911) (#7961) Top

anshul.mohta



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anshul.mohta posted @ 2012-07-22 12:42 PM

Great initiative... i too was confident before the contest.. but reality is different from newspaper sudokus and Nokia's 100 sudokus!!
@ 2012-07-22 12:49 PM (#7963 - in reply to #7961) (#7963) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-22 12:49 PM

agree with you
@ 2012-07-22 1:16 PM (#7966 - in reply to #7918) (#7966) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-22 1:16 PM

Rohan Rao - 2012-07-19 3:02 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-07-19 11:43 AM

Suggestion - Keep a target for everyone, including newcomers, so that everyone has something to play for.

How can you keep a target for everyone? We would have no clue about the skills of newcomers. And if a newcomer does not achieve her/his target, there is disappointment for the player which is exactly what we have to avoid.

In fact, we can keep it open for longer, so that more players can submit all sudokus. Completing all sudokus within time certainly gives pleasure and I don't see any reason why we cannot have 100 players submitting before time. The time-stamp will anyway separate them with ranks.

giving participants a decent target to achieve in general would help them to ipmrove and on achieving the target, they would be motivated to participate again
@ 2012-07-23 10:09 AM (#7975 - in reply to #7911) (#7975) Top

channa



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channa posted @ 2012-07-23 10:09 AM

Great Initiative...Even though i used to have time to attend the contest, but sheer time that was needed to be spent in familiarising with the variants & working out the strategies prevented me from writing them. This will make things a lot easier.
Perhaps, u can also continue to have the previous monthly tests but with lesser frequency (once in three months)....
@ 2012-07-23 10:11 AM (#7976 - in reply to #7975) (#7976) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2012-07-23 10:11 AM

channa - 2012-07-23 10:09 AM

Perhaps, u can also continue to have the previous monthly tests but with lesser frequency (once in three months)....
Just to clarify, the monthly tests will continue to exist as earlier (i.e. once a month, with no change in format). That has a different set of audience.
And we expect that "beginners" start participating in monthly tests after they feel more comfortable, in due course of time.

Edited by debmohanty 2012-07-23 10:14 AM
@ 2012-07-23 8:19 PM (#7982 - in reply to #7911) (#7982) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-23 8:19 PM

wen r the july ones starting??
@ 2012-07-23 8:21 PM (#7983 - in reply to #7982) (#7983) Top

Organisers



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Organisers posted @ 2012-07-23 8:21 PM

avermaful - 2012-07-23 8:19 PM

wen r the july ones starting??
Last week of July (25th to 31st July)
@ 2012-07-23 11:40 PM (#7987 - in reply to #7911) (#7987) Top

Organisers



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Organisers posted @ 2012-07-23 11:40 PM

Announcements - Sudoku Types for July'2012


Sudoku Types for July - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/B201207.asp


@ 2012-07-24 2:12 PM (#7993 - in reply to #7911) (#7993) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-24 2:12 PM

will round2 be immediately after round 1?? n what is the difficulty level of sudokus given in the above link i.e. http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/201207.asp
@ 2012-07-24 2:25 PM (#7994 - in reply to #7993) (#7994) Top

Organisers



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Organisers posted @ 2012-07-24 2:25 PM

avermaful - 2012-07-24 2:12 PM

will round2 be immediately after round 1?? n what is the difficulty level of sudokus given in the above link i.e. http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/201207.asp
Round2 can be taken later, even on another day. In fact you can choose to take Round2 before Round1.
The difficulty level of the examples is easy. Can someone else please confirm?

Edited by Organisers 2012-07-24 2:25 PM
@ 2012-07-24 3:43 PM (#7995 - in reply to #7994) (#7995) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-24 3:43 PM

Organisers - 2012-07-24 2:25 PM
Can someone else please confirm?


All easy. Just solved.
@ 2012-07-24 3:54 PM (#7996 - in reply to #7911) (#7996) Top

avermaful



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avermaful posted @ 2012-07-24 3:54 PM

thanx
@ 2012-07-24 7:05 PM (#7999 - in reply to #7911) (#7999) Top

dreamsudoko



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dreamsudoko posted @ 2012-07-24 7:05 PM

In most of the competitions, puzzles are not appearing on my screen. What can I do if same thing will happen in this event ???

Edited by dreamsudoko 2012-07-24 7:11 PM
@ 2012-07-24 8:04 PM (#8001 - in reply to #7911) (#8001) Top

sudokufan



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sudokufan posted @ 2012-07-24 8:04 PM

How do you register for the monthly contests?

@ 2012-07-24 8:15 PM (#8002 - in reply to #7911) (#8002) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-07-24 8:15 PM

To participate in the monthly contests no separate registration is required. Since you are already registered here in LMI, just logon and and you can participate.
@ 2012-07-24 8:17 PM (#8003 - in reply to #7999) (#8003) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-07-24 8:17 PM

dreamsudoko - 2012-07-24 7:05 PM

In most of the competitions, puzzles are not appearing on my screen. What can I do if same thing will happen in this event ???


It is advisable to play sudokus offline (i mean by taking prints of the pdf), especially if you are a beginner. Balnk screens etc are local computer problems which can be sorted out by refreshing the page or by logging in again.
@ 2012-07-24 8:23 PM (#8004 - in reply to #8003) (#8004) Top

rakesh_rai




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rakesh_rai posted @ 2012-07-24 8:23 PM

neerajmehrotra - 2012-07-24 8:17 PM

dreamsudoko - 2012-07-24 7:05 PM

In most of the competitions, puzzles are not appearing on my screen. What can I do if same thing will happen in this event ???


It is advisable to play sudokus offline (i mean by taking prints of the pdf), especially if you are a beginner. Balnk screens etc are local computer problems which can be sorted out by refreshing the page or by logging in again.

Or, it could be a software issue as well in your computer (Adobe Flash player). Only sudoku tests will have the puzzles appearing on screen and that too, not all tests.
@ 2012-07-25 1:59 AM (#8010 - in reply to #7911) (#8010) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-25 1:59 AM

LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - July'2012


Submission Link - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/

(Please note, we have increased the length slightly to 40 minutes considering that players might have to take printouts and enter the answer keys)


@ 2012-07-25 5:58 PM (#8015 - in reply to #7911) (#8015) Top

Fred76




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Fred76 posted @ 2012-07-25 5:58 PM

Haha ! too many mistakes for me on the 4 classic sudokus ! Must now wait till the end to play variants...

Oh I didn't see the link for the variants. I can play now

Edited by Fred76 2012-07-25 6:12 PM
@ 2012-07-25 8:29 PM (#8017 - in reply to #8015) (#8017) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-25 8:29 PM

Fred76 - 2012-07-25 5:58 PM

Haha ! too many mistakes for me on the 4 classic sudokus ! Must now wait till the end to play variants...

Oh I didn't see the link for the variants. I can play now
Yes, the Variants have a different link. These 2 rounds are independent of each other.
I think top players like you should start both the rounds at the same time and have a maximum submission time of 40 minutes.
@ 2012-07-26 10:55 AM (#8023 - in reply to #7911) (#8023) Top

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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-26 10:55 AM

We are seeing some good participation. Thank you everyone who have participated so far.

Request to players, especially the new ones, to leave any kind of feedback here so that we can improve the future contests.
@ 2012-07-26 1:19 PM (#8025 - in reply to #8023) (#8025) Top

gauravkorde



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gauravkorde posted @ 2012-07-26 1:19 PM

i guess the puzzles are still a bit tough ones...it could be better if slightly easier puzzles with 6 in each round would be better so that most players can atleast finish half..

btw why is prassanna's score not showing if he has solved the puzzles??
@ 2012-07-26 1:49 PM (#8026 - in reply to #8025) (#8026) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-26 1:49 PM

gauravkorde - 2012-07-26 1:19 PM
btw why is prasanna's score not showing if he has solved the puzzles??
Prasanna and Tejal were the test solvers. Thats why their names are missing.
@ 2012-07-26 2:54 PM (#8027 - in reply to #7911) (#8027) Top

krisram



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krisram posted @ 2012-07-26 2:54 PM

In the results page,

http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/score.asp

I can see a button "Claim Score" for one of the puzzles I have solved and the points for that particular puzzle has not been added to my total score as well. When I try to press the button and submit, I get an error - "Error occured while connecting to server".

What is this button "Claim Score" meant for? Is there any issues currently?
@ 2012-07-26 3:07 PM (#8028 - in reply to #8027) (#8028) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-26 3:07 PM

krisram - 2012-07-26 2:54 PM

What is this button "Claim Score" meant for? Is there any issues currently?
If you think your solution is correct, but you are not given points, you can use this button to communicate with the organizers.
There was a problem with this button, it is rectified. Please try now again.
@ 2012-07-26 5:14 PM (#8029 - in reply to #7911) (#8029) Top

krisram



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krisram posted @ 2012-07-26 5:14 PM

Thanks for the clarification ... Indeed, my solution was wrong ... Solved it correctly now :)
@ 2012-07-27 8:25 PM (#8040 - in reply to #7911) (#8040) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-07-27 8:25 PM

I find very good response to the beginners contest....40 plus Indian participants have played.....May I request especially new comers to play...this is a really good contest.....
@ 2012-07-28 8:39 PM (#8045 - in reply to #7911) (#8045) Top

distri




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distri posted @ 2012-07-28 8:39 PM

LMI tournaments are very impressive and hard, often frustrating for Beginners or slow players like me.
I hope these contests will be suggested again ,It 's also a good training against the stress of the stopwatch .
Thank you for this great idea
@ 2012-07-28 8:49 PM (#8046 - in reply to #8045) (#8046) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-28 8:49 PM

distri - 2012-07-28 8:39 PM

I hope these contests will be suggested again


As the home page suggests, this is scheduled at least for the next two months, and the plan is to keep it as a monthly thing just like the traditional monthly tests.
@ 2012-07-28 10:40 PM (#8047 - in reply to #8046) (#8047) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-07-28 10:40 PM

We have noticed that many participants are using the "claim points" button for every wrong submission. This button is only to be used if you feel you have solved the Sudoku correctly and have made an error of some sort while entering the answer key. All other claims will be rejected. Once you have submitted please check your solutions for errors before claiming points, else its really a waste of time.
@ 2012-07-30 3:52 PM (#8062 - in reply to #7911) (#8062) Top

sudokufan



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sudokufan posted @ 2012-07-30 3:52 PM

I cannot participate in the Sudoku contest as the puzzle is not opening. I tried clicking on the reset button by pressing Control Enter but its still not happening. Please help me out. Thanks.
@ 2012-07-30 4:45 PM (#8063 - in reply to #8062) (#8063) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-07-30 4:45 PM

sudokufan - 2012-07-30 3:52 PM

I cannot participate in the Sudoku contest as the puzzle is not opening. I tried clicking on the reset button by pressing Control Enter but its still not happening. Please help me out. Thanks.
Send us a screenshot - logicmasteradmin@gmail.com
@ 2012-08-01 5:48 AM (#8079 - in reply to #7911) (#8079) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-01 5:48 AM

July Beginners' Contest is over. We are trying to filter out some results (like the one in the attachment)



(AmazingTime.png)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments AmazingTime.png (7KB - 6 downloads)
@ 2012-08-01 8:59 AM (#8080 - in reply to #7911) (#8080) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-01 8:59 AM

Based the number of participants (314 participants, 204 non-zero scores, 203 Indians), we can very well say that lot of participants are looking forward to "easier" competitions (compared to, for example, the monthly tests). We will continue to hold these Beginners' contests as frequently as we can, but not certainly more than once a month. At the same time, we expect some of these players should try the monthly tests as well. Most, if not all, monthly tests have some basic sudoku types as well as some easy sudokus.

Now back to July's results - obviously jaku111 and kimking solved the 8 sudokus in incredible time.

We have not defined (not sure if it is objectively possible to define) who a beginner is - any suggestions welcome. However, we are pleased to announce the top 3 debutants.
They are, in order :
Manuj Arora (manuj) - India
SUDOMICH - France
ARCHANA TAYADE (ARTAYADE) - India

Congratulations everyone, and thank you for participating and making it a success.

Please share any feedback you might have (except that the Classics were tougher than the Variants :-)
@ 2012-08-01 3:06 PM (#8083 - in reply to #8080) (#8083) Top

Ours brun




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Ours brun posted @ 2012-08-01 3:06 PM

First, I would like to point out that the variants were clearly easier than the classics. Don't know if this had been said before.

(sorry)

Seriously, I think the very high indian participation proves the attractiveness of such easy tests. The 40' length is certainly a good thing too for some beginners who may be afraid of two hours contests, or are not yet passionate enough to spend that much time solving sudokus. Definitely a good initiative to pursue.

Happy to see fellow Sudomich doing well; he has been solving classic sudokus for a long time now, but has only recently entered the variants world. Clearly he is the type of player to who these tests may be useful.

Thanks to LMI team once again !
@ 2012-08-01 4:40 PM (#8084 - in reply to #8080) (#8084) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-01 4:40 PM

Administrator - 2012-08-01 8:59 AM

We have not defined (not sure if it is objectively possible to define) who a beginner is - any suggestions welcome.


This is an important topic. While we've acknowledged the debutants, thats a really narrowed down scope. In any case, the 3 mentioned above have done really well even if we consider some definitive way to determine who is a beginner, and I believe their scores show they're ready to keep a solid target of solving a good chunk of a Monthly test too. The point here, other than giving the beginner something interesting to tackle, is also to give confidence to the ones who do well that they can move to the next level. So for that we need to acknowledge any beginner stepping up, not just the debutants which by definition is a one-time thing.

Anyway, congratulations to Manuj, Sudomich and Archana for some really impressive performances. I met Manuj in the Mumbai round of the Times Sudoku Championship, and his score was really impressive. Its good to see him replicate that here.

Edited by prasanna16391 2012-08-01 4:43 PM
@ 2012-08-01 6:07 PM (#8085 - in reply to #8084) (#8085) Top

greenhorn



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greenhorn posted @ 2012-08-01 6:07 PM

I think that every contestant should have enough self-reflection and could decide whether he is a beginner or "professional". Before starting the test everyone should submit the proper button with these two choices. We could not decide whether the contestant is experienced enough.
Here in Slovakia we have 2 categories in every sudoku tournament - A for the experienced puzzlers and B for the beginners and recreative solvers. The solver who win two of five tournaments is automatically transfered into the A-category. Maybe that is why we have large amount of unexperienced puzzlers visiting our tournaments. They never have embarrassing feelings about being overrun by the strong competition. But there is another question - is the goal of LMI organisers to have two separate scorecards?
@ 2012-08-01 6:14 PM (#8086 - in reply to #7911) (#8086) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-01 6:14 PM

Allowing a participant to choose is good, but there still needs to be some limit, since some really good solver who is relatively new(say few months or so in) can still consider himself "inexperienced". But it is a valid idea nonetheless.

As for separate scorecards, that is a possibility. We are trying to give the Beginners a level of competition among themselves. Obviously top solvers like this as practice too so a division would be nice. But we'll need to make sure the categories are definite. Your suggestion is good in that respect.
@ 2012-08-01 6:52 PM (#8087 - in reply to #7911) (#8087) Top

greenhorn



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greenhorn posted @ 2012-08-01 6:52 PM

Also I would like to add few words to the competition. Before the test I thought about the system of submitting answers. I usually submit all solved puzzles and then have 5-8 minutes to "solve" the rest. The biggest disadvantage of this system is that I often missed the time limit and could not submit all the puzzles. But this time I realised that 40 minutes are enough to solve and submit everything. There was also no necessary to speculate on the order of puzzles to solve (this is my another bad habit). But after the test I was quite surprised that 8 puzzles from the top10 have submitted their answers continuosly during solving. Only I and Bastian did it after solving everything. However 6 of the puzzles at positions from 11 to 20 used the way of one submission. Whereas the differences among the top 20 (or among the 3 and 20th position) were very close it seems so that the continious submitting is more suitable. It would be interesting to know how many players of these used the online solving mode, because I suppose, that the great majority of "one submission players" use this way.
@ 2012-08-01 9:15 PM (#8088 - in reply to #8087) (#8088) Top

Gotroch



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Gotroch posted @ 2012-08-01 9:15 PM

greenhorn - 2012-08-01 2:52 PMIt would be interesting to know how many players of these used the online solving mode, because I suppose, that the great majority of "one submission players" use this way.
When you look at answer strings of each competitor, you can see who solved the puzzles on paper (strings with # in between) and who solved online (just one string of digits)
@ 2012-08-01 9:30 PM (#8089 - in reply to #8088) (#8089) Top

greenhorn



Posts: 164
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greenhorn posted @ 2012-08-01 9:30 PM

Gotroch - 2012-08-01 9:15 PM

greenhorn - 2012-08-01 2:52 PMIt would be interesting to know how many players of these used the online solving mode, because I suppose, that the great majority of "one submission players" use this way.
When you look at answer strings of each competitor, you can see who solved the puzzles on paper (strings with # in between) and who solved online (just one string of digits)


Díky
@ 2012-08-02 4:03 AM (#8090 - in reply to #7911) (#8090) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
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Fred76 posted @ 2012-08-02 4:03 AM

Thanks for organizing this contest.

Seeing the results and participation (more than 200 Indian players !), I think you can consider that it's a success.
Being administrator of a french forum, I'm happy to see a good participation of french players. Some of them are regular player here, and others are new or don't play LMI test regularly.
I hope that there will be more swiss players next month. I know some players who could have fun in taking part in these beginners' contests.

I think it should be good to have 2 separate rankings. 1 for experienced or good players ("""professional"""), another one for beginners or players being less competitive and who have perhaps less fun in the "regular" monthly test. I think it should be good to let new players choose in which category they want to play, but I think for following tests, there should be a clear criterion edicted by LMI. The limit could be based on the number of points gained in preceeding beginners' test, if the tests are all approximately the same difficulty. Perhaps having done more than 60 points (means that the player has solved all puzzles or had enough time bonus in one part to compensate some mistake or unsolved in the other part) could be an interesting limit. If you are able to solve the 8 puzzles in 40+40 minutes, you should be able to solve a few grids in "regular" monthly test and perhaps have fun with them. Of course players who didn't have a score of 60 points can also have fun in participating in "regular" monthly test, but perhaps these players will have some frustrating time on hard tests (see distri's previous message).
Perhaps you have to think also about players who solved only one part (classic or variant). If a very good player only take part to one part, that doesn't mean that he should be in the "beginners' liga" next month...

I don't know if a such system can be implemented for these beginners contests?


About solving modes:

I think it could be a bigger difference between both modes than for regular monthly test. Results could let us think that it's probably more efficient to use online mode for these short tests, especially for good players. I played on paper. Despite the fact that I made very good results using online solving on LMI tests in 2010, I've seen that I was not comfortable with the flash LMI interface (just a matter of habit).
I think it doesn't really matter, as it affects much more players who solve each part in less than say 20 minutes, and they are not the target audience of these contests. But it could be good just to mention for each player if they used "online mode", "paper mode" or mixed both.

Finally: the Classics were tougher than the Variants , BUT:
I think it's better that way: One can find tons of classic sudokus in newspaper, website, etc... so we can really practice classic sudokus everywhere, we don't need LMI to get good at classic sudokus. It's a bit different with variants, even if lot of resource can be found on internet.

Fred
@ 2012-08-03 12:08 AM (#8098 - in reply to #7911) (#8098) Top

neerajmehrotra



Posts: 329
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Country : India

neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-08-03 12:08 AM

Cheers LMI....I think the goal is accomplished.....we have 200 plus Indians participating....hope to see this number increasing in the next months contest....
@ 2012-08-04 8:37 AM (#8101 - in reply to #8090) (#8101) Top

vopani



Posts: 739
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vopani posted @ 2012-08-04 8:37 AM

Fred76 - 2012-08-02 4:03 AM

I think it should be good to have 2 separate rankings. 1 for experienced or good players ("""professional"""), another one for beginners or players being less competitive and who have perhaps less fun in the "regular" monthly test. I think it should be good to let new players choose in which category they want to play, but I think for following tests, there should be a clear criterion edicted by LMI.

Fred

I had suggested something similar a long time back, that on the score page, to have a tab which shows the results of ONLY those players with LMI rating <= yours (or maybe +- 10% of your rating). That way, each player can see how they performed w.r.t. players who have a rating lower than their's. Similarly, have a tab showing results of all first-timers.

This can be implemented in the LMI Monthly Tests as well.

I dont know how useful this will be, but when I view the score page, I always try to 'find' the players' results whose ratings is +- 50 of my rating.
@ 2012-08-06 4:59 PM (#8127 - in reply to #7911) (#8127) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-06 4:59 PM

Thanks to greenhorn, Fred, Rohan for ideas.

We shall be announcing the August Beginners' contest soon. We have decided to go with the following changes for now -
The participation will be divided into two categories, Beginners and Seasoners.

The following are Seasoners by default -
1. Those who have attained, at any point, an LMI Sudoku rating of 500+.
2. Those who have achieved a rank of 25 or better in an LMI monthly Sudoku test.
3. Those who get 2 75+ total scores in the Beginners' Contests(This can obviously take effect only from the September edition).

The rest of the participants all have an option to participate as a Beginner and have their own set of rankings.
@ 2012-08-08 12:03 PM (#8143 - in reply to #8127) (#8143) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-08 12:03 PM

Announcement


Here are the types for the August Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/Types/B201208.asp

We have decided to keep 2 variants from last time (Odd-Even and Diagonal) and introduce 2 new ones (Irregular and Non-Consecutive).


@ 2012-08-08 9:32 PM (#8149 - in reply to #8143) (#8149) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-08 9:32 PM

Dates for August Beginners' Sudoku Test



Dates : Aug 10th to Aug 16th, both inclusive

Submission Link : http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/



@ 2012-08-08 10:24 PM (#8151 - in reply to #8149) (#8151) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-08 10:24 PM

There seems to be a couple of bugs in the new Result Table of July Contest... Hopefully, you must be aware about them..... But one of the weirdest one is that it doesn't show the details of all the individual sudokus when I click the row against my username..... It shows them for every other user that I clicked.... I wasn't logged on while viewing the page.... :)
@ 2012-08-08 10:36 PM (#8152 - in reply to #8151) (#8152) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-08 10:36 PM

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:24 PM
But one of the weirdest one is that it doesn't show the details of all the individual sudokus when I click the row against my username.....
Fixed. Please check again.

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:24 PM
There seems to be a couple of bugs in the new Result Table of July Contest... Hopefully, you must be aware about them.....
Not really. Feel free to post any other oddities that you / anyone else notice/s.
@ 2012-08-08 10:53 PM (#8153 - in reply to #8152) (#8153) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-08 10:53 PM

1. TSecs column shows incorrect values for most of the users...

2. When I single-click on my username - it shows multiple entries for the same sudoku... See the snapshot below... (This is again weird - just for me)

3. Problem of multiple entries was there for every user when I checked it before that post.... It has been solved now.... However, if I click on a username 2/3/4/multiple times, details of individual sudokus are retrieved 2/3/4/multiple times as well.....

Snapshot

PS - Why do I have to write the posts in html.... Even after I disable html - I have to use html tags.... Do I need to make any changes in settings?



Edited by adityasaraf007 2012-08-08 11:23 PM
@ 2012-08-09 10:02 AM (#8156 - in reply to #8153) (#8156) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-08-09 10:02 AM

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:53 PM
1. TSecs column shows incorrect values for most of the users...
Fixed.

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:53 PM
2. When I single-click on my username - it shows multiple entries for the same sudoku... See the snapshot below... (This is again weird - just for me)
That is because you have submitted same sudoku multiple times. This shown for other users also (check misko for example)

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:53 PM
3. Problem of multiple entries was there for every user when I checked it before that post.... It has been solved now.... However, if I click on a username 2/3/4/multiple times, details of individual sudokus are retrieved 2/3/4/multiple times as well.....
Are you expecting the details to be collapsed?

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-08 10:53 PM
Why do I have to write the posts in html.... Even after I disable html - I have to use html tags.... Do I need to make any changes in settings?
Not sure. This happens to few users (happens to Rakesh too I think)
@ 2012-08-09 3:40 PM (#8157 - in reply to #8156) (#8157) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-09 3:40 PM

Replying to the quotes in a numbered manner because of html issues:

1. Thank you...

2. OMG!!!! Does it mean I am so demanding on LMI Servers..... I used to think everyone submits all the grids for the 2nd time when they are finished solving all the grids/the test is about to over....However, In my view it should show just the last correct timestamp for all the grids....

3. Expecting it to retrieve and show just the last correct timestamp just once (even if the row is clicked multiple times)....

4. Okay.... I would have to live with these html issues....



Edited by adityasaraf007 2012-08-09 3:45 PM
@ 2012-08-09 5:00 PM (#8158 - in reply to #7911) (#8158) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-09 5:00 PM

We decided to keep it this way because some people may want to keep track of the multiple submissions too. As a participant I sometimes like to see such things myself. Seeing as it has no change in the scoring, I don't see it as a big issue either way, so I'm thinking we'll let it be that way.
@ 2012-08-09 7:55 PM (#8159 - in reply to #8158) (#8159) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-09 7:55 PM

No Problem... :)
@ 2012-08-09 9:58 PM (#8160 - in reply to #7911) (#8160) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-09 9:58 PM

Sudoku Booklets uploaded



Each pdf has 2 pages, with 2 Sudokus per page.

@ 2012-08-09 11:01 PM (#8161 - in reply to #8152) (#8161) Top

lenson




Posts: 57
2020
Country : India

lenson posted @ 2012-08-09 11:01 PM

Not really. Feel free to post any other oddities that you / anyone else notice/s.
I could not see the results before finishing Classics, which was fine. But once I finished Classics, I could see overall results for BOTH Classics and Variants. More of an oddity than an issue. :-)
@ 2012-08-10 12:29 PM (#8162 - in reply to #8161) (#8162) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-10 12:29 PM

lenson - 2012-08-09 11:01 PM

Not really. Feel free to post any other oddities that you / anyone else notice/s.
I could not see the results before finishing Classics, which was fine. But once I finished Classics, I could see overall results for BOTH Classics and Variants. More of an oddity than an issue. :-)
Fixed. Please check this time.
@ 2012-08-11 1:51 PM (#8167 - in reply to #8127) (#8167) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-11 1:51 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-08-06 4:59 PM

Thanks to greenhorn, Fred, Rohan for ideas.

We shall be announcing the August Beginners' contest soon. We have decided to go with the following changes for now -
The participation will be divided into two categories, Beginners and Seasoners.

The following are Seasoners by default -
1. Those who have attained, at any point, an LMI Sudoku rating of 500+.
2. Those who have achieved a rank of 25 or better in an LMI monthly Sudoku test.
3. Those who get 2 75+ total scores in the Beginners' Contests(This can obviously take effect only from the September edition).

The rest of the participants all have an option to participate as a Beginner and have their own set of rankings.


In light of some performances from players with a prior reputation, we have added a 4th category as follows -
4. Those who score 100+ on the Beginners' Contest shall be bumped to Seasoner level on the spot.

We must remember that the main point of these contests is to encourage new talents who are not familiar with all the types and techniques of Sudoku.
@ 2012-08-11 4:42 PM (#8170 - in reply to #7911) (#8170) Top

anurag



Posts: 136
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anurag posted @ 2012-08-11 4:42 PM

Two of the links on the left pane of the test page extend across the width of the page.was that intended?

Edited by anurag 2012-08-11 4:43 PM
@ 2012-08-11 5:30 PM (#8171 - in reply to #7911) (#8171) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-11 5:30 PM

The two in question are explanations of the LMI interface in detail, with screenshots of the various features. So yes, it was intended.
@ 2012-08-12 7:21 AM (#8181 - in reply to #7911) (#8181) Top

figonometry



Posts: 30
20
Country : Canada

figonometry posted @ 2012-08-12 7:21 AM

LAME! While sitting here waiting for the timer to run out, I notice that I entered the same answer twice! Lucky I saw it, but I lost 12 minutes or so. :(
@ 2012-08-12 8:22 PM (#8193 - in reply to #8181) (#8193) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-12 8:22 PM

In the score page, I find a couple of scores (excluding Time Bonus) which are not whole numbers.... Scores like 28.60, 28.80, 17.50, etc.... Does it indicate partial points for 1 answer key being correct or something like this.... How are partial points allotted...
@ 2012-08-12 8:36 PM (#8195 - in reply to #8193) (#8195) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-12 8:36 PM

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-12 8:22 PM

In the score page, I find a couple of scores (excluding Time Bonus) which are not whole numbers.... Scores like 28.60, 28.80, 17.50, etc.... Does it indicate partial points for 1 answer key being correct or something like this.... How are partial points allotted...


Partial points are allotted if just one number is wrong, or if 2 numbers adjacent to each other are swapped in the entire key, and nothing more than that. For more details you can look at the July version. I will say, we are a bit more lenient here as it is a Beginners' Contest. You may not get points for the same keys in a Monthly Test.
@ 2012-08-12 9:23 PM (#8197 - in reply to #7911) (#8197) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-12 9:23 PM

Got it... Thanks.... And what about Bonus.... if I get partial points for 2 sudokus or more, would I be allotted Bonus... or Bonus is limited to just 1 incorrect submission... :)
@ 2012-08-12 10:00 PM (#8198 - in reply to #7911) (#8198) Top

gramar



Posts: 9

Country : United Kingdom

gramar posted @ 2012-08-12 10:00 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for this test. As a sudoku enthusiast, but definitely no expert, it was great to find a competition that I could actually have a good go at. I have participated in several of the previous competions in the past, just for the fun of having a go, but was beginning to find the puzzles far too hard on the whole and had stopped taking part. So it was a real pleasure to feel I could take join in again for a change. I am still pretty slow, but managed all four classics correctly and three of the four variants - just ran out of time on the last one.
@ 2012-08-12 10:02 PM (#8199 - in reply to #8197) (#8199) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-12 10:02 PM

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-12 9:23 PM

Got it... Thanks.... And what about Bonus.... if I get partial points for 2 sudokus or more, would I be allotted Bonus... or Bonus is limited to just 1 incorrect submission... :)


The theory behind the partial points is that the error is so small that you've most probably solved the entire thing correctly but just mis-entered some digits somewhere. So yes, even if 2 out of the 4 have such minute errors, once you get the partial points, you will be allotted the bonus as you have theoretically solved everything correctly and have been penalized for the little error. (Again, things may be different for Monthly tests)
@ 2012-08-12 11:17 PM (#8200 - in reply to #7911) (#8200) Top

adityasaraf007



Posts: 45
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Country : India

adityasaraf007 posted @ 2012-08-12 11:17 PM

Just an idea.... Can "LMI Beginners' Puzzle Contests" be also organized along similar lines...
@ 2012-08-12 11:38 PM (#8201 - in reply to #8200) (#8201) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-12 11:38 PM

adityasaraf007 - 2012-08-12 11:17 PM

Just an idea.... Can "LMI Beginners' Puzzle Contests" be also organized along similar lines...


We started this first on the back of Times Sudoku Championship and decided to see how it goes. Now with the World Championship coming up soon and all that, the schedule is packed. We may think of something like that later on if this continues to be a success.
@ 2012-08-13 12:39 PM (#8205 - in reply to #8181) (#8205) Top

pooja.seksaria



Posts: 2

Country : India

pooja.seksaria posted @ 2012-08-13 12:39 PM

i lost time over re-solving Classic Sudoku - 1 3 times. The puzzle seems to be wrong. i couldnt complete it. however i did complete the Classic Sudoku - 2 successfully
@ 2012-08-13 1:01 PM (#8206 - in reply to #8205) (#8206) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-13 1:01 PM

pooja.seksaria - 2012-08-13 12:39 PM

i lost time over re-solving Classic Sudoku - 1 3 times. The puzzle seems to be wrong. i couldnt complete it. however i did complete the Classic Sudoku - 2 successfully


100 + participants seem to have solved it, so I doubt the problem is with the puzzle. It is possible(and quite common, even among top solvers) that you are just making a wrong assumption somewhere repeatedly. Keep trying, and once the deadline is over, feel free to post where you are getting stuck. Another option is to send me a private message of where you are getting a contradiction.
@ 2012-08-15 2:57 PM (#8208 - in reply to #7911) (#8208) Top

purzelbaumfan



Posts: 13

Country : Germany

purzelbaumfan posted @ 2012-08-15 2:57 PM

I have to agree with gramar: most of the other contests are very hard to solve and in the end the fun factor just blows away. Thank you for this easy and solvable contest :)
@ 2012-08-16 12:44 AM (#8210 - in reply to #7911) (#8210) Top

sreejith



Posts: 3

Country : India

sreejith posted @ 2012-08-16 12:44 AM

i interchanged 2 digits by mistake..but i hav solved d entire sudoku correct !...how come i get 0 points???
@ 2012-08-16 1:02 AM (#8211 - in reply to #8210) (#8211) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-16 1:02 AM

sreejith - 2012-08-16 12:44 AM

i interchanged 2 digits by mistake..but i hav solved d entire sudoku correct !...how come i get 0 points???


Awarding of partial points has to be done manually, please give one of the organizers time to look into it, and if your case is similar to other cases where partial points were awarded, you will surely be awarded it too. That is why we have the "claim points" button, to alert us to such things, even though we try our best to monitor everyone.

Anyway, you have been awarded partial points. You can check now.
@ 2012-08-16 2:28 PM (#8213 - in reply to #7911) (#8213) Top

abhishekgoenka89



Posts: 6

Country : India

abhishekgoenka89 posted @ 2012-08-16 2:28 PM

Can anyone post what is the final time by which beginners contest for the month aug (10th - 16th) will end ??
@ 2012-08-16 3:10 PM (#8214 - in reply to #8213) (#8214) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-08-16 3:10 PM

abhishekgoenka89 - 2012-08-16 2:28 PM

Can anyone post what is the final time by which beginners contest for the month aug (10th - 16th) will end ??
Check the beginners' contest page - if still unclear, let us know.
@ 2012-08-16 4:43 PM (#8215 - in reply to #7911) (#8215) Top

abhishekgoenka89



Posts: 6

Country : India

abhishekgoenka89 posted @ 2012-08-16 4:43 PM

i have gone through the above link. However it is showing that this contest if for the period from 9thaug to 15th aug.
I just want to know is this sudoku contest still going on or has it over and if it has not got over then what is the final time by which i can participate today.
@ 2012-08-16 5:16 PM (#8216 - in reply to #8215) (#8216) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-08-16 5:16 PM

It should have been 10th to 16th.

In any case, it ends at 5:30AM IST tomorrow morning. See attachment





(timing.png)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments timing.png (2KB - 3 downloads)
@ 2012-08-17 6:14 PM (#8221 - in reply to #7911) (#8221) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-17 6:14 PM

Beginners' Contest August is now over. With the new categorization, it looks like more people wanted to submit the answers and be competitive among fellow Beginners. Whether that be the reason or not, this month's contest saw a high ratio of people who solved at least one sudoku (293/332 Compared to 204/314). This is quite a pleasing stat as the main aim of these contests is that everyone should be able to solve something within the given competitive time.

As this test was categorized, here are the stats on each side -

Beginners - 164 participants and 136 of them solved at least one sudoku. 16 of them solved all 8 correctly.
Seasoners - 167 participants and 157 of them solved at least one sudoku. 96 of them solved all 8 correctly.

Now to the winners,

Congratulations to zyx (Thailand), Manuj (India) and PMarlin (USA) for being the top 3 Beginners.

Among the Seasoners, f4han (Malaysia), jaku111 (Czech Republic) and janoslaw (Poland) were the top 3.

Some of the winners from the Beginners Contest will get shifted to the Seasoner category after this as posted before. They can now try the LMI monthly tests and use the future Beginners' Contests as practice to continue their move towards the top, as they have excelled at the Beginner level. This means some of the other Beginners have a chance of winning the next edition.

Thank you all for participating!
@ 2012-08-29 11:25 PM (#8453 - in reply to #7911) (#8453) Top

felezeu 1



Posts: 1

Country : Germany

felezeu 1 posted @ 2012-08-29 11:25 PM

When exact starts the LMI Seasoners`Sudoku Contest in September?
@ 2012-08-29 11:37 PM (#8454 - in reply to #8453) (#8454) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-08-29 11:37 PM

felezeu 1 - 2012-08-29 11:25 PM

When exact starts the LMI Seasoners`Sudoku Contest in September?


This is yet to be decided. It'll mostly be later on in the month, 3rd or 4th week. Watch this topic for announcements.

Edited by debmohanty 2012-09-04 9:53 PM
@ 2012-09-02 6:31 PM (#8483 - in reply to #7911) (#8483) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-02 6:31 PM

Types for September


Here are the types for the September Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/Types/B201209.asp

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Irregular and NonConsecutive)
We are introducing 2 variants (Odd Sudoku and Extra Region Sudoku)

@ 2012-09-03 9:07 AM (#8486 - in reply to #7911) (#8486) Top

dp_94



Posts: 25
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dp_94 posted @ 2012-09-03 9:07 AM

Does there will be 2 rounds, each of 100 minutes for September Sudoku Contest
@ 2012-09-03 9:21 AM (#8487 - in reply to #8486) (#8487) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-03 9:21 AM

dp_94 - 2012-09-03 9:07 AM

Does there will be 2 rounds, each of 100 minutes for September Sudoku Contest

Not really.The length was set to 100 minutes for our testing purpose. Sorry about the confusion.
@ 2012-09-04 9:32 PM (#8497 - in reply to #8487) (#8497) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-04 9:32 PM

Dates for September Beginners Sudoku Contest


Dates : 7th — 13th September



@ 2012-09-06 3:45 PM (#8501 - in reply to #7911) (#8501) Top

abhi5670



Posts: 6

Country : India

abhi5670 posted @ 2012-09-06 3:45 PM

can the soduku puzzles be solved offline
@ 2012-09-06 3:46 PM (#8502 - in reply to #7911) (#8502) Top

abhi5670



Posts: 6

Country : India

abhi5670 posted @ 2012-09-06 3:46 PM

If I solve the sudoku puzzles within time for the beginners contest, do I get a rank or somethign?
@ 2012-09-06 4:15 PM (#8503 - in reply to #8501) (#8503) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-06 4:15 PM

abhi5670 - 2012-09-06 3:45 PM

can the soduku puzzles be solved offline
I'm not exactly sure what 'offline' means.
You can either solve online using the flash interface
OR
you can print (the same set of sudokus) on paper and solve on paper, and then enter the rows marked by arrows.

abhi5670 - 2012-09-06 3:46 PM

If I solve the sudoku puzzles within time for the beginners contest, do I get a rank or somethign?
Again, not sure what your question is about. What exactly are you expecting if you solve the sudokus within time?
@ 2012-09-07 5:46 AM (#8504 - in reply to #7911) (#8504) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-07 5:46 AM

September Beginners Sudoku Contest has started

Here is the link, if you still haven't figured it out.

Points Distribution

Classic 1 - 4 points
Classic 2 - 7 points
Classic 3 - 8 points
Classic 4 - 11 points


Variant 1 (Irregular) - 4 points
Variant 2 (Odd) - 11 points
Variant 3 (Non Consecutive) - 7 points
Variant 4 (Extra Region) - 8 points

@ 2012-09-07 7:15 AM (#8505 - in reply to #8502) (#8505) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-07 7:15 AM

abhi5670 - 2012-09-06 3:46 PM

If I solve the sudoku puzzles within time for the beginners contest, do I get a rank or somethign?


See the previous scoring pages. You'll get "a rank" no matter how many you solve, as long as you participate. You'll get "a better rank" if you finish more sudokus/finish the same number faster. But on a side note, if you forget about the ranks, you invariably end up enjoying the test and giving a good performance too ;)
@ 2012-09-07 9:10 AM (#8506 - in reply to #8127) (#8506) Top

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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-07 9:10 AM

prasanna16391 - 2012-08-06 4:59 PM


The following are Seasoners by default -
1. Those who have attained, at any point, an LMI Sudoku rating of 500+.
2. Those who have achieved a rank of 25 or better in an LMI monthly Sudoku test.
3. Those who get 2 75+ total scores in the Beginners' Contests(This can obviously take effect only from the September edition).
4. Those who score 100+ on the Beginners' Contest shall be bumped to Seasoner level on the spot.
Following players are moved to Seasoners because of 3, even if they chose to play as beginner in August
B. Thananon
godisdead
jzverina
manuj
ZYX
@ 2012-09-07 1:36 PM (#8507 - in reply to #7911) (#8507) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-07 1:36 PM

This is a restricted thread. As you might have seen during other LMI tests :

Comments posted in the thread after the test started can only be viewed by players who have finished the test. If you are not logged in to forum or if you have not finished the test, you will see first few characters of the post.

The purpose is to encourage players to freely post comments while the test is running.
@ 2012-09-08 12:10 AM (#8510 - in reply to #8497) (#8510) Top

abhi5670



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Country : India

abhi5670 posted @ 2012-09-08 12:10 AM

hi, can the contests be attempted more than once?
@ 2012-09-08 12:10 AM (#8511 - in reply to #7911) (#8511) Top

abhi5670



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Country : India

abhi5670 posted @ 2012-09-08 12:10 AM

hi, can the contests be enttred more than once
@ 2012-09-08 12:16 AM (#8512 - in reply to #8505) (#8512) Top

abhi5670



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Country : India

abhi5670 posted @ 2012-09-08 12:16 AM

how does one get practice for sudoku variants?
@ 2012-09-08 1:36 AM (#8513 - in reply to #8510) (#8513) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-08 1:36 AM

abhi5670 - 2012-09-08 12:10 AM

hi, can the contests be attempted more than once?


Well, whats the point of a "contest" then? You can attempt the sudokus only once. If you attempt it again after having seen them, that gives you an unfair advantage.
@ 2012-09-08 1:38 AM (#8514 - in reply to #8512) (#8514) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-08 1:38 AM

abhi5670 - 2012-09-08 12:16 AM

how does one get practice for sudoku variants?


One of the main points of the Beginners' Contests IS to give practice to beginners in Sudoku variants. If you meant solving tips, etc. there is no extensive covering of all variants as far as I know, so if you post a specific grid, one of us will surely give you the required tricks and pushes to solve it.
@ 2012-09-08 12:19 PM (#8515 - in reply to #7911) (#8515) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-09-08 12:19 PM

This was another wonderful attempt by LMI to encourage beginners in the puzzling world in general and sudoku in particular......
The classics were of easy / medium difficulty. 11 pointer was slightly difficult. As regards variants.....
I loved the non-consecutive..........odd was difficult and deserved more points than 11..........
all the best to all the solvers....
@ 2012-09-08 9:29 PM (#8518 - in reply to #7911) (#8518) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2012-09-08 9:29 PM

Forgot to add a note in the pdf file :

Classics 2,3,4 are provided by our Chinese friends TTHsieh and Lin Minfang
@ 2012-09-09 11:14 AM (#8523 - in reply to #7911) (#8523) Top

anurag



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anurag posted @ 2012-09-09 11:14 AM

From my solving experience,the points for the 4th classic didnt justify those for the other 2.It was ridiculously easy.I spent 5 minutes on it and 12 on the 7-pointer.
@ 2012-09-09 1:41 PM (#8525 - in reply to #7911) (#8525) Top

kishy72



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kishy72 posted @ 2012-09-09 1:41 PM

fellas is there any sure shot of improving speed in sudoku ? because i have been solving sudokus for the past 2-3 months extensively after becoming a member of LMI compared to the number of sudokus i used to do earlier and still i am unable to increase my speed by as much as i would have liked and when i see people here submitting 4 classic sudokus within 5mins 26 secs !!!!!!!!!!(oh my god )under 10 mins and so on i feel as i m missing the picture somewhere?!..or is there something that needs to kept in mind as a pre-requisite while solving sudokus????how do people solve within 10 mins 4 sudokus effectively completing each sudoku be it easy or hard under 150 seconds...share ur thoughts pls .....
@ 2012-09-09 1:59 PM (#8526 - in reply to #8525) (#8526) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-09 1:59 PM

kishy72 - 2012-09-09 1:41 PM

fellas is there any sure shot of improving speed in sudoku ? because i have been solving sudokus for the past 2-3 months extensively after becoming a member of LMI compared to the number of sudokus i used to do earlier and still i am unable to increase my speed by as much as i would have liked and when i see people here submitting 4 classic sudokus within 5mins 26 secs !!!!!!!!!!(oh my god )under 10 mins and so on i feel as i m missing the picture somewhere?!..or is there something that needs to kept in mind as a pre-requisite while solving sudokus????how do people solve within 10 mins 4 sudokus effectively completing each sudoku be it easy or hard under 150 seconds...share ur thoughts pls .....


In any competition, there will be different levels of ability. This doesn't mean one can't improve. The 5 min 26 seconds person you mention has been a top solver for many years, so not getting anywhere near that after 2-3 months of practice shouldn't be a surprise right? In any case, thats what the Beginners-Seasoners categories are for. Different people have different growth patterns in terms of improving solving speed. That is the base of competition.

There isn't any sure shot way of improving your speed other than practicing as far as I know. There are certain techniques, like the ones listed here - http://www.sudokuwiki.org/sudoku.htm , but its up to you to learn how to use them with time.

Edited by prasanna16391 2012-09-09 2:00 PM
@ 2012-09-11 11:06 AM (#8533 - in reply to #7911) (#8533) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-11 11:06 AM

Why do players do this?



(Why.png)



Attachments
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Attachments Why.png (7KB - 5 downloads)
@ 2012-09-12 6:12 PM (#8539 - in reply to #7911) (#8539) Top

vijaya_rajan



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vijaya_rajan posted @ 2012-09-12 6:12 PM

Can I re-do a test to improve points ?
@ 2012-09-12 6:28 PM (#8540 - in reply to #8539) (#8540) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-12 6:28 PM

vijaya_rajan - 2012-09-12 6:12 PM

Can I re-do a test to improve points ?


As shown in the post directly above you, you can improve your points to the extent of submitting in a second, but then there isn't any point in competing(Edit - And your second attempt will be disqualified anyway). You have more chance of improving yourself if you just concentrate on solving rather than improving the points more than your actual capacity :)

Edited by prasanna16391 2012-09-12 6:31 PM
@ 2012-09-12 8:06 PM (#8544 - in reply to #8540) (#8544) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-12 8:06 PM

Email notification test ----
Thanks Richard.
@ 2012-09-13 8:37 AM (#8545 - in reply to #8544) (#8545) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-13 8:37 AM

Last one day for September's edition. Actually little less than 21 hours as I post this.
@ 2012-09-13 7:31 PM (#8548 - in reply to #7911) (#8548) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-09-13 7:31 PM

Where are the top sixteen Indians .....I can see only Rakesh, Akash Doulani and Zalak..(sorry if I have missed someone).........baaki janta kahan hai....
@ 2012-09-13 7:59 PM (#8549 - in reply to #8548) (#8549) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2012-09-13 7:59 PM

neerajmehrotra - 2012-09-13 7:31 PM

Where are the top sixteen Indians .....I can see only Rakesh, Akash Doulani and Zalak..(sorry if I have missed someone).........baaki janta kahan hai....
Ah... This is for "Beginners" - so others in top 16 don't want to degrade their value by playing - even though we have seen top players from all other countries. Or may be too difficult to fit in 40 minutes in 10080 minutes in their busy schedules.
@ 2012-09-13 10:04 PM (#8550 - in reply to #8548) (#8550) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-13 10:04 PM

neerajmehrotra - 2012-09-13 7:31 PM

Where are the top sixteen Indians .....I can see only Rakesh, Akash Doulani and Zalak..(sorry if I have missed someone).........baaki janta kahan hai....


Can add Jaipal now :)
@ 2012-09-13 10:19 PM (#8551 - in reply to #8550) (#8551) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-09-13 10:19 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-09-13 10:04 PM

neerajmehrotra - 2012-09-13 7:31 PM

Where are the top sixteen Indians .....I can see only Rakesh, Akash Doulani and Zalak..(sorry if I have missed someone).........baaki janta kahan hai....


Can add Jaipal now :)


Thats great.....hope one or two more people join the gang.....
@ 2012-09-14 8:31 AM (#8552 - in reply to #8551) (#8552) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-09-14 8:31 AM

Septembers Beginners' contest is over. Passwords removed from booklets.
@ 2012-09-14 3:13 PM (#8553 - in reply to #7911) (#8553) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-09-14 3:13 PM

LMI Beginners' contest September is over. Statistically it is very similar to the August edition. 336 participants and 289 of them submitted at least one sudoku correctly.

The top 3 Beginners this time are Pwned from USA, mtgs from the United Kingdom, and PMarlin from USA(2nd podium finish). From Indians, aashay and prabhadoshi are worth mentioning, finishing 4th and 5th respectively.

jaku111(Czech Republic), Timothy(France) and Kota(Japan) topped the Seasoner standings.

Thank you all for Participating!
@ 2012-09-14 5:04 PM (#8555 - in reply to #7911) (#8555) Top

neerajmehrotra



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neerajmehrotra posted @ 2012-09-14 5:04 PM

I am sure these contests must really be a confidence booster for beginners especially for those who find themselves placed above the seasoners.....
@ 2012-10-10 8:35 AM (#8748 - in reply to #7911) (#8748) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-10 8:35 AM

Types for October


Here are the types for the October Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201210

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Odd Sudoku and Extra Region Sudoku)
We are introducing 2 new variants (Toroidal and Consecutive)

The contest will start on the 11th of October and run till the 17th. Other details will be posted shortly.

@ 2012-10-10 11:35 AM (#8749 - in reply to #7911) (#8749) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-10 11:35 AM

Beginners' Contests changes


1. Instant Grading
=============
Instant Grading will be enabled in Beginners' contests. Upon submitting, either with paper mode or online mode, you will immediately know if the submission is correct or not. Each wrong submission will be penalized by adding 1 minute to your submission time. There will not be any deduction of points.

2. Extended Time
=============
To encourage players to solve and submit all Sudokus, players can now submit Sudokus even after the initial 40 minutes is over. However, sudokus submitted after 40 minutes will get only 50% of the points for the corresponding sudoku. Note that the timer will now start from 00:00, running up.

3. Score Page
==========
Score page can be viewed anytime after you submit your first sudoku correctly. However, you cannot see others' submissions for sudokus you have not solved correctly. As usual, score page can be refreshed only once in 30 minutes. Also, there are few changes in terms of the default score page view.

@ 2012-10-10 11:40 AM (#8750 - in reply to #7911) (#8750) Top

kishy72



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kishy72 posted @ 2012-10-10 11:40 AM

what is the difference between a toroidal sudoku and an irregular sudoku? and in the example provided, some of the outlined regions have 2,3,4,5 etc (arbit number of cells)How do u fill then the digits 1 to 7 in each outlined region.....
PS : Glad that P.S and the glitz and glamour that was missing for 2 weeks is back in LMI. :-P
@ 2012-10-10 12:02 PM (#8751 - in reply to #8750) (#8751) Top

vopani



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vopani posted @ 2012-10-10 12:02 PM

The regions 'wrap' around the grid. For example: R1C1, R1C2, R2C1, R6C1, R6C2, R7C1, R7C2 is one region of seven cells.
Wherever there is no thick border at an edge, it means the region continues to the opposite end. Look at the 5 at R2C3 and the 4 at R7C4, they lie in the same region.

In Irregular Sudoku, there is no 'wrapping' in the regions.







(TS.png)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments TS.png (11KB - 2 downloads)
@ 2012-10-10 3:43 PM (#8752 - in reply to #7911) (#8752) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-10 3:43 PM

Re : Beginners' Contests changes


Just a clarification about extended time, this time will run till Beginners' contest is over, i.e. 17th October in this case.


@ 2012-10-10 3:53 PM (#8753 - in reply to #7911) (#8753) Top

dp_94



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dp_94 posted @ 2012-10-10 3:53 PM

hi, can anyone tell me a site to practice some odd sudokus
@ 2012-10-10 4:41 PM (#8754 - in reply to #8753) (#8754) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-10-10 4:41 PM

dp_94 - 2012-10-10 3:53 PM

hi, can anyone tell me a site to practice some odd sudokus


http://rohanrao.blogspot.in/search/label/Odd%20Sudoku

http://sudokucup.com/node/2127

http://www.worldpuzzle.org/sudoku/sudoku-w26/

http://www.sachsentext.de/en/node/608



(mock18.png)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments mock18.png (15KB - 1 downloads)
@ 2012-10-10 8:37 PM (#8755 - in reply to #8751) (#8755) Top

kishy72



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kishy72 posted @ 2012-10-10 8:37 PM

Rohan Rao - 2012-10-10 12:02 PM

The regions 'wrap' around the grid. For example: R1C1, R1C2, R2C1, R6C1, R6C2, R7C1, R7C2 is one region of seven cells.
Wherever there is no thick border at an edge, it means the region continues to the opposite end. Look at the 5 at R2C3 and the 4 at R7C4, they lie in the same region.

In Irregular Sudoku, there is no 'wrapping' in the regions.





mind block cleared.....Thnks Rohan...
@ 2012-10-11 5:57 PM (#8756 - in reply to #7911) (#8756) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-11 5:57 PM

No Penalty award



In case a participant has submitted without entering the required number of digits, or only entered one half of the key, that participant will be awarded no penalty for that submission. However, this change needs to be manual from our end so the change may not occur immediately.

@ 2012-10-12 1:33 PM (#8757 - in reply to #8756) (#8757) Top

rakesh_rai




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rakesh_rai posted @ 2012-10-12 1:33 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-10-11 5:57 PM

No Penalty award




"penalty award" - is that an oxymoron !!
@ 2012-10-16 11:56 PM (#8760 - in reply to #7911) (#8760) Top

PuzzleScott



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PuzzleScott posted @ 2012-10-16 11:56 PM

Thanks for another good beginner's contest. The half credit for late submissions to encourage everyone to work all puzzles is an excellent idea.
@ 2012-10-18 6:23 AM (#8761 - in reply to #7911) (#8761) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-10-18 6:23 AM

Beginners Contest for October is over.
Password removed from the pdfs.
@ 2012-10-18 10:53 AM (#8763 - in reply to #7911) (#8763) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-18 10:53 AM

Congrats to hjkl18(Czech Republic), momiji(China) and mtgs(UK) for topping Beginners' Contest October. Among Seasoners, F4han(Malaysia), jaku111(Czech Republic) and janoslaw(Poland) top the standings.

Out of 116 Beginners, 102 solved at least one sudoku correctly, and the corresponding numbers for Seasoners is 156/164. Its pleasing to see so many non-zero scores, as that was the main aim with the extended time idea. We have received some good feedback on this, including a comment above, but we welcome more feedback on this and any other aspect of this month's contest.

Thank you all for participating!
@ 2012-10-18 11:03 AM (#8765 - in reply to #7911) (#8765) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-10-18 11:03 AM

Something I'd like to add separately -

There has been some curiosity about the author of these contests. The author so far, barring the one noted here, has been Deb. But, we encourage other authors to contribute too. Obviously, by now, the difficulty expected in these contests is known. The technicalities are -
1. These authors won't be added/updated on the author's page, but they will be given credit on this topic.
2. If at all someone would like to author a Beginners' contest, contact me/Deb and we will let you know the variants for that particular month.

We're pleased to announce that Fred Stalder(Fred76) has already offered to author Beginners' Contest November.
@ 2012-10-18 11:24 AM (#8766 - in reply to #8763) (#8766) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-10-18 11:24 AM

prasanna16391 - 2012-10-18 10:53 AM

Congrats to hjkl18(Czech Republic), momiji(China) and mtgs(UK) for topping Beginners' Contest October.
mtgs will be moved to Seasoners category after 2 scores of 75+.
@ 2012-10-18 5:20 PM (#8767 - in reply to #7911) (#8767) Top

kishy72



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kishy72 posted @ 2012-10-18 5:20 PM

what makes a person disqualified ?i see a person disqualified in the list...what might be the reason?pardon me if i m touching on sensitive topics..but i m curious ..apart from posting ridiculous times like 0:01 for solving all sudokus which happened in the previous month ,does solving all in under 15 or so min warrant a disqualification just because the person might be a beginner?
@ 2012-10-18 7:34 PM (#8768 - in reply to #8767) (#8768) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2012-10-18 7:34 PM

It is always a difficult decision to disqualify anyone, beginner or seasoner. We discuss it multiple times internally before finalizing anything. I'm not going to share those most-difficult-part-of-administering-online-puzzle-tests here. But "solving under 15 minutes" is not a criteria to disqualify anyone.

Since you are curious, I'll send you an PM regarding why we had a disqualified player this time.
@ 2012-10-19 5:02 PM (#8769 - in reply to #8765) (#8769) Top

Fred76




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Fred76 posted @ 2012-10-19 5:02 PM

prasanna16391 - 2012-10-18 11:03 AM

We're pleased to announce that Fred Stalder(Fred76) has already offered to author Beginners' Contest November.


If you're friendly with me, there is a chance that sudokus will be easier than those in the "Diagonal Vision" test.





Haha, I'm joking, of course ! I'm glad to have the honor of creating the grids for the next beginners contest !

Fred
@ 2012-10-31 10:05 AM (#8869 - in reply to #7911) (#8869) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-10-31 10:05 AM

November Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the November Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201211

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Toroidal and Consecutive)
We are introducing 2 new variants (Outside and No Knight Step)

Dates

The contest will start on the 8th of November and run till the 14th, including both dates.

Author

All 8 Sudokus for November are written by Fred Stalder. As you all know, Fred regularly posts sudokus and sudoku related information in his blog Variantes de Sudoku and also administers the highly popular French sudoku forum SUDOKU VARIANTE.

@ 2012-10-31 10:51 AM (#8871 - in reply to #7911) (#8871) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-10-31 10:51 AM

There is a small change in image format for the Consecutive Sudoku that appeared last month. Instead of dots, bars will be present between consecutive digits.
@ 2012-11-04 3:11 PM (#8917 - in reply to #7911) (#8917) Top

ashwinparadkar



Posts: 9

Country : India

ashwinparadkar posted @ 2012-11-04 3:11 PM

I just registered on the LMI site. Could you please tell me where do I get puzzles to practice for this month's beginner's challenge.



Also, could you please share any link on the format how this tournament will be conducted.



I am sure this must be there on the site but being a newbie I am not sure where it is.
@ 2012-11-04 4:26 PM (#8919 - in reply to #8917) (#8919) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-11-04 4:26 PM

ashwinparadkar - 2012-11-04 3:11 PM

I just registered on the LMI site. Could you please tell me where do I get puzzles to practice for this month's beginner's challenge.



Also, could you please share any link on the format how this tournament will be conducted.



I am sure this must be there on the site but being a newbie I am not sure where it is.


For practice you can view the previous Beginners' Contests here - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?test=B201210 . The new types, Outside and No Knight Step(or Anti Knight), can be found, along with other variants if you look through the Monthly Tests, or go to the blogs/sites provided on the links page - http://logicmastersindia.com/home/?g=links . Out of the sites Fed Sudoku, Sudoku Cup and Argio Logic have online solving.

As for format, once the contest page link is shared, there will be a section there giving details of how to use the interface/make submissions. The basic summary is -

You have 40 minutes of "official time", during which you can either download and print a PDF, solve on paper and submit the rows or columns that the arrows show, or you can solve online itself. With each submission the Instant Grading will let you know if you're right or wrong. If wrong, you can re submit but you'll get a penalty of 1 minute added to your time taken for each wrong submission. You may submit after the 40 minutes are done till the contest dates are over, but you will get just 50 % of the points then.
@ 2012-11-05 10:42 AM (#8920 - in reply to #7911) (#8920) Top

ashwinparadkar



Posts: 9

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ashwinparadkar posted @ 2012-11-05 10:42 AM

Thanks a lot Prasanna. That was exactly what I was looking for :)
@ 2012-11-08 8:19 AM (#8938 - in reply to #7911) (#8938) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2012-11-08 8:19 AM

Score page link is now activated - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/score.asp
@ 2012-11-09 8:39 AM (#8940 - in reply to #7911) (#8940) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-11-09 8:39 AM

It looks like some players, especially the ones solving on paper, are submitting all Sudokus at the end. Please remember that the points are halved after 40 minutes. So if you have solved some sudokus before 40 minutes, it is important to submit them before the 'penalty period' starts.
@ 2012-11-11 10:42 AM (#8942 - in reply to #7911) (#8942) Top

suryadevi



Posts: 14

Country : India

suryadevi posted @ 2012-11-11 10:42 AM

what is the password for opening the document

@ 2012-11-11 10:44 AM (#8943 - in reply to #8942) (#8943) Top

Richard



Posts: 191
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Country : The Netherlands

Richard posted @ 2012-11-11 10:44 AM

It is written in red right below the buttons 'start classics' and 'start variants' after you have hit such a button.
@ 2012-11-16 4:29 AM (#8958 - in reply to #8943) (#8958) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-11-16 4:29 AM

Beginners' November is over. The top 3 Beginners are hjkl18 (Czech Republic), DavidCollison (UK) and lukasz6500 (Poland). hjkl18's highly impressive runaway performance means he now has 2 consecutive top performances on these contests, and will be bumped up to the Seasoners' category because of this. adityasaraf007 had the best Indian performance among the Beginners.

Among Seasoners, jaku111 and Gotroch make it a Czech 1-2, with Kota finishing at 3rd place.

Thank you all for participating, and thanks to Fred Stalder for providing some beautifully constructed grids. On a personal note, the Outside 1-9 theme was my favorite :)

@ 2012-11-16 10:29 PM (#8969 - in reply to #7911) (#8969) Top

debmohanty




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Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2012-11-16 10:29 PM

Thanks Fred for writing the Beginners contest. It certainly helps me a lot, when I don't have to write 8 sudokus every month

With a highest score of 110.65 (compared to 126 in Sep / 118 in Oct), this contest was certainly more difficult even for top solvers. Some of the puzzles were time-consuming to fill so many digits (Outside / Consecutive), if not very difficult. The result was not completely surprising, in fact Fred and me were mostly expecting it. At some point before the test, Prasanna even had suggested increasing time limit.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that beginners shouldn't get demotivated if they scored less in this test compared to previous ones.


Edited by debmohanty 2012-11-16 10:40 PM
@ 2012-11-17 2:59 AM (#8970 - in reply to #7911) (#8970) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
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Country : Switzerland

Fred76 posted @ 2012-11-17 2:59 AM

Just a few words about the puzzles:

Classics: Not lot of things to say. 4th sudoku was the hardest, with a naked single in R8C2. Once this found, it doesn't require hard step, but the logical path is narrow, so it explains surely that some players spent some time on this one.
I hope that you have seen what I tried to do aesthetically on these grids.

Variants: I was asked by Deb and Prasanna to create a 7*7 toroidal, a consecutive sudoku, an outside sudoku and a killer sudoku. After test solving the set, we found that it was a bit too difficult compared to previous tests, especially killer sudoku. I could have created an easier one, but I don't find very exciting to create very easy killer sudoku. In my opinion, killer sudoku is not an easy variant, and even the easy ones, without hard logical step, take some time to be solved. So we decided that I create another variant: It seemed more appropriate to create an easy antiknight sudoku.

Toroidal sudoku: Most of the time, I like to create toroidal sudoku with the same shape for all regions. This is perhaps because it's impossible with irregular sudoku that I find it interesting.
Outside sudoku: I feared that it could be hard to create something aesthetic for this one. In fact, that is the first outside sudoku I created. I didn't want to put digits inside the grid (otherwise, why name it outside sudoku), and I didn't want to have too much digits outside the grid. I decided the 1-9 stuff for the upper side and right side,and tried to have no more than 2 digits for each row/column in the bottom and left sides. This construction has the effect that the end of the solving is the regions 2,3,5,6. The hardest steps here were two pairs (13 in region 2 and 89 in region 6), that make the puzzle rather medium than easy. (The players that took part in the last WSC know that it's possible to create hard outside sudokus !)
Consecutive sudoku: I chosed the theme being my name's initials: FS. I constructed the puzzle trying to have these letters clearly visible, so trying to have the least possible of consecutive digits outside of the digits making the letters. I tried to "push" the consecutive digits in the regions 3 and 7, where I also placed the digits.
The puzzle doesn't need some hard step to be solved, but it is also, as the outside sudoku, more a medium one than an easy one.

Finally the antiknight sudoku. I think it is not hard, but requires lot of placement using the antiknight rule. The hardest step was to find the pair 25 in region 2 due to the antiknight placement for the 5.

I hope every player have fun, especially those who spent lot of time (spending lot of time without having fun is not an ideal entertainment) !

Fred
@ 2012-11-17 10:37 AM (#8974 - in reply to #8970) (#8974) Top

Richard



Posts: 191
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Country : The Netherlands

Richard posted @ 2012-11-17 10:37 AM

Reading you would be the author of a beginners contest, I already thought it would be harder than average. I thought the same during solving. I was very much aware of the ability for naked singles, so I didn't find the 4th sudoku harder than the others.

For the variants, I can confirm some bottlenecks you described; the pair 13 in box 2 in the outside sudoku was hard to spot. This one certainly took most time. The consecutive was not that hard. The long series in column 7 provided much info, and the absence of a lot of bars means you often have to place two consecutive digits with one cell in between.
I have almost no experience in solving anti knights. For your test I practised a few, and learned some typical tricks, most of them being elimination steps. That helped, and I found the pair 25 pretty soon.

I had a lot of fun with the puzzles. Also afterwards, when I noticed my relative good scoring. But during the test the same feelings crossed my mind as Deb wrote above.

Anyway: thanks for the test!
@ 2012-12-03 5:09 PM (#9056 - in reply to #7911) (#9056) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-12-03 5:09 PM

December Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the December Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201212

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Outside and No Knight Step)
We are introducing 2 new variants (UnTouch and Killer)

Dates

The contest will start on the 13th of December and run till the 19th, including both dates.

Author

All 8 Sudokus for December are written by detuned (Tom Collyer). To know more about Tom and to get a Nikoli puzzle every Friday, checkout Tom's blog detuned radio.

@ 2012-12-06 4:02 AM (#9075 - in reply to #7911) (#9075) Top

detuned



Posts: 152
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Country : United Kingdom

detuned posted @ 2012-12-06 4:02 AM

I certainly have a tough act to follow in Fred, but I've tried my best to put together a nice set. I don't think it will be quite as challenging in difficulty as November! I suppose if you look at my blog you'll see I haven't posted sudoku variants for quite a while, so it was lots of fun putting some sudoku together for a change. Hopefully you'll see that when you get to solve the puzzles :)
@ 2012-12-08 4:15 AM (#9084 - in reply to #9075) (#9084) Top

distri




Posts: 12

Country : France

distri posted @ 2012-12-08 4:15 AM

detuned - 2012-12-06 4:02 AM

I certainly have a tough act to follow in Fred


As everyone knows , the grids of Fred shake the neurons .. ....Ah !Ah ! but we like our agitator of brain, of course !!!

detuned - 2012-12-06 4:02 AM
but I've tried my best to put together a nice set


That's very kind of you to prepare the grids for (the past) and next Edition of Lmi beginners.
Thanks to the authors , we make progress .
Thank you very much.


@ 2012-12-13 11:52 AM (#9108 - in reply to #7911) (#9108) Top

tamz29



Posts: 225
10010020
Country : Thailand

tamz29 posted @ 2012-12-13 11:52 AM

Nice clean sudokus, thanks for the puzzles Tom. :)
@ 2012-12-13 4:59 PM (#9111 - in reply to #7911) (#9111) Top

debmohanty




1000500100100100202020
Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2012-12-13 4:59 PM

---------
So 5 minutes 36 seconds is the time to beat.

Edited by debmohanty 2012-12-13 5:05 PM
@ 2012-12-13 7:51 PM (#9113 - in reply to #7911) (#9113) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
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Country : Switzerland

Fred76 posted @ 2012-12-13 7:51 PM

Nice sudokus, Tom. Thanks !
@ 2012-12-13 8:17 PM (#9114 - in reply to #7911) (#9114) Top

detuned



Posts: 152
1002020
Country : United Kingdom

detuned posted @ 2012-12-13 8:17 PM

My pleasure. I hope everyone's neurons have been tickled, rather than shaken, so far :)
@ 2012-12-14 7:38 PM (#9127 - in reply to #7911) (#9127) Top

flk



Posts: 23
20
Country : Australia

flk posted @ 2012-12-14 7:38 PM

Thanks for the puzzles
@ 2012-12-15 12:13 AM (#9128 - in reply to #7911) (#9128) Top

joshuazucker



Posts: 31
20
Country : United States

joshuazucker posted @ 2012-12-15 12:13 AM

Nice puzzles! I had a horrendously difficult time with the Outside until I noticed that I had failed to use one of the clues. The classics were all pretty nice puzzles, the no knight was rather clever, and the killer was really beautiful but I think pretty difficult for a beginner contest! It took a while to see how to make use of the layout most effectively.
@ 2012-12-16 4:01 PM (#9134 - in reply to #7911) (#9134) Top

distri




Posts: 12

Country : France

distri posted @ 2012-12-16 4:01 PM

In first , the possibility of playing online is really comfortable with the zoom , I see as well as a mole !!!
Thank you Deb .
I thought that I had no chance I never play untouch , anti knight and killer , but the grids were very nice , not easy but not too difficult .(I confirm tickles only...Ah!Ah!)
unfortunately about the killer (I confirm more that tickles in spite of 15 in the middle) ..... I close my mouth because I played as a smurfette , to the right ...to the left ....etc but never at the right place !!!!! result.....far too many time .
The classics were great especially the third and the fourth .
Thank you Tom

Edited by distri 2012-12-16 4:23 PM
@ 2012-12-18 7:07 PM (#9150 - in reply to #7911) (#9150) Top

edderiofer




Posts: 8

Country : Hong Kong

edderiofer posted @ 2012-12-18 7:07 PM

All of the puzzles were very nice, though I broke the Killer a couple of times, gave up, came back the next day, and solved it. Also, I spent a few minutes staring at a nearly-completed AntiKnight puzzle before realizing that I had forgotten to use the 2 in the bottom-centre grid.
@ 2012-12-20 5:38 AM (#9152 - in reply to #7911) (#9152) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-12-20 5:38 AM

December Beginners' Contest is over now. Passwords removed from booklets.
@ 2012-12-20 2:59 PM (#9158 - in reply to #7911) (#9158) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-12-20 2:59 PM

adityasaraf007 and khuski move to seasoners after Decembers contest.
@ 2012-12-20 7:42 PM (#9160 - in reply to #7911) (#9160) Top

detuned



Posts: 152
1002020
Country : United Kingdom

detuned posted @ 2012-12-20 7:42 PM

I guess I'll had some of my own thoughts, as Fred did last month.

Classics: in general I quite like writing easy classics as you can really put a lot of thought into the design. With puzzle #1 I was hoping to get the digits 1-8, rather than 2-9 around the edge of the puzzle, but sometimes it doesn't quite work out like that. #2 featured some diagonal stripes - and this meant there were very few opportunities to put singles into the puzzle. Instead it was more profitable to solve by focussing on one or two digits at a time. This was supposed to be true of #3 as well, but it turned out even easier than that. I was astonished to see several sub-minute solves, with some as quick as 40 seconds! #4 was supposed to be a little trickier, and is based upon a favourite design of mine. I've used it in tests before, and as perhaps die hard fans of my blog will tell you, is (almost) the pattern I used for my first ever puzzle!

Variants: sometimes you just throw down a design and see where it gets you. With the added constraints that a variant can give, you often have a puzzle that needs very little tweaking. You can clearly see this is what I was after with the untouch puzzle. I was hoping not to need those digits in the 5th column, but didn't quite manage it. The killer was my favourite of the lot. Actually I was a little dopey when initially sketching out the cages and left blank spaces at R1C5, R5C1, R5C9 and R9C1. When I came to extend the cages that now contain those cells, I found that the puzzle still solved perfectly well. A pet hate of mine with killers is where you have to do too much adding up. I guess you have to do a bit to get yourself started here with the "cross" in the middle, but I much prefer to rely on logic that involves restricting a cage to a potential set of numbers and then using them as mini extra regions. So once you worked out how the L shaped 16 and 17 cages in the middle interacted, you were well on your way to solving. I suppose the outside was probably my least favourite of the set. I can't say I'm totally in love with this variant, but I tried to give a good clean solve and leave things well presented. The unfortunate thing with this sort of variant is that often you can miss the significance of one particular clue and be left scratching you head for a while until you come to re-examine it. Finally the anti-knight. I initially tried a design very similar to the untouch, but couldn't get it to work. In a fit of desperation (it was getting quite late that evening and i wanted to finish everything off), I had a look at Fred's completed grid from last month, permuted the digits and gave it a rotation, and then sketched out a striking design which I thought would solve uniquely. Without too much tweaking I got what I wanted. There are lots of subtle interactions with the antiknight logic for certain cells in the grid, and so if you knew what you were looking for the solve was fairly straightforward.

Anyhow, I hope everyone enjoyed the puzzles, congratulations to the winners, and my thanks to LMI for giving me the opportunity to showcase some of my puzzles :)

Tom
@ 2012-12-20 8:02 PM (#9161 - in reply to #7911) (#9161) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-12-20 8:02 PM

Thanks Tom for providing a nice set to solve. The detailed post about creating the grids is really interesting and useful too.

Anyway, the top 3 Beginners are zbych (Poland), DavidCollison (UK) and elena_tens (Greece). dp_94 had the best Indian performance among the Beginners.

Among Seasoners, no one got close to the fairly early "time to beat" set by jaku111 (Czech Republic). Timothy (France) and Gotroch (Czech Republic) are the "best of the rest" with 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Congrats to all the winners, and thank you all for participating. :)
@ 2013-01-08 10:50 AM (#9378 - in reply to #9161) (#9378) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-08 10:50 AM

January Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the January Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201301

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (UnTouch and Killer)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Sudoku XV)
Now that we have been running Beginners for 6 months, we have decided to start revisiting an old variant every month. It will be Irregular Sudoku this time.

Dates

Will be announced soon.

Author

All 8 Sudokus for January are written by Richard Stolk. Read more about Richard at our authors page, and don't forget to check out his recently concluded Advent Calendar 2012.

@ 2013-01-16 2:08 PM (#9501 - in reply to #9378) (#9501) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-01-16 2:08 PM

Update

Dates

The contest will start on the 18th of January and run till the 24th, including both dates.

@ 2013-01-18 1:23 PM (#9515 - in reply to #7911) (#9515) Top

xevs



Posts: 43
2020
Country : Japan

xevs posted @ 2013-01-18 1:23 PM

About Untouch Sudoku, can identical digits touch each other "diagonally"?
I can understand it's not allowed (by observing the Example), but I think some "beginner"s can't.
@ 2013-01-18 1:31 PM (#9516 - in reply to #9515) (#9516) Top

Richard



Posts: 191
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Country : The Netherlands

Richard posted @ 2013-01-18 1:31 PM

xevs - 2013-01-18 1:23 PM

About Untouch Sudoku, can identical digits touch each other "diagonally"?
I can understand it's not allowed (by observing the Example), but I think some "beginner"s can't.


Yes, it's meant that they can't touch each other diagonally.
@ 2013-01-18 1:48 PM (#9517 - in reply to #9516) (#9517) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-18 1:48 PM

Richard - 2013-01-18 1:31 PM

xevs - 2013-01-18 1:23 PM

About Untouch Sudoku, can identical digits touch each other "diagonally"?
I can understand it's not allowed (by observing the Example), but I think some "beginner"s can't.


Yes, it's meant that they can't touch each other diagonally.
Well ... "diagonally" is the only way identical digits can touch each other in a Sudoku

[ Added the missing word in link for types. It was already present in pdf. ]
@ 2013-01-19 3:36 PM (#9526 - in reply to #7911) (#9526) Top

rajeshk




Posts: 542
5002020
Country : India

rajeshk posted @ 2013-01-19 3:36 PM

Heading of the contest page needs an update. It reads date in Dec.

@ 2013-01-19 6:30 PM (#9528 - in reply to #7911) (#9528) Top

TiiT



Posts: 139
10020
Country : Estonia

TiiT posted @ 2013-01-19 6:30 PM

Why it doesn't let me to print variants??
@ 2013-01-19 6:47 PM (#9530 - in reply to #9528) (#9530) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-19 6:47 PM

@TiiT, please check my messages
@ 2013-01-20 2:53 AM (#9533 - in reply to #7911) (#9533) Top

huisouvik



Posts: 4

Country : India

huisouvik posted @ 2013-01-20 2:53 AM

I would like to know if anyone has attempted correctly the 'Killer' sudoku in variants in LMI beginners' test, january. If yes, can anyone tell me the correct solution for the 'Killer' sudoku in variants. I have attempted it and think my answer is correct. But the server is showing the answer to be wrong. My answer is O-564782391 and P-327941865

Edited by huisouvik 2013-01-20 2:59 AM
@ 2013-01-20 3:31 AM (#9534 - in reply to #7911) (#9534) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-20 3:31 AM

@huisouvik, Please check your inbox for solution to killer.
@ 2013-01-20 6:32 PM (#9536 - in reply to #9534) (#9536) Top

kishy72



Posts: 419
100100100100
Country : India

kishy72 posted @ 2013-01-20 6:32 PM

hii is it valid to claim points for mistyping a number...when i first submitted the solution to answer for killer ,under time pressure ,in the second row of the answer solution i typed the wrong number as the first digit..i could not check again ..i had only 10 seconds remaining..after i completed i realised that i had lost 5 points for mistyping a single digit..not sure if it is valid to claim here...can the admin check my submission pls and see if it is a vaild claim....
@ 2013-01-20 6:50 PM (#9537 - in reply to #7911) (#9537) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-01-20 6:50 PM

Since we introduced the Instant Grading system with the lenient penalty, we decided that the only time we will remove the penalty is when an answer key is incomplete (has blank spaces). We have a system to notify us of these cases so the claiming button seemed redundant. Hence, we decided to remove it.

Obviously, we are aware that the rare case of someone making a slight mistake within time and then correcting it after time is possible, but we still don't think its a valid enough claim. If we award points there, its a disadvantage to people who are careful, submit just after time and don't have a typo just before time to show for it.
@ 2013-01-20 6:58 PM (#9538 - in reply to #9537) (#9538) Top

kishy72



Posts: 419
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Country : India

kishy72 posted @ 2013-01-20 6:58 PM

prasanna16391 - 2013-01-20 6:50 PM

Since we introduced the Instant Grading system with the lenient penalty, we decided that the only time we will remove the penalty is when an answer key is incomplete (has blank spaces). We have a system to notify us of these cases so the claiming button seemed redundant. Hence, we decided to remove it.

Obviously, we are aware that the rare case of someone making a slight mistake within time and then correcting it after time is possible, but we still don't think its a valid enough claim. If we award points there, its a disadvantage to people who are careful, submit just after time and don't have a typo just before time to show for it.


Not a problem.I know computing bonus would be a bit of a headache in the event that you decide to award points.. not that i would be getting much bonus anyway.It would not have felt right to me too if you had awarded for a mistake on my part.It is just that 6 points go down the drain because of a single typo that my heart forced me to claim.Thnks for looking into the claim......
@ 2013-01-25 4:35 AM (#9564 - in reply to #9538) (#9564) Top

detuned



Posts: 152
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Country : United Kingdom

detuned posted @ 2013-01-25 4:35 AM

Thanks Richard, the classics in particular were very elegant!
@ 2013-01-25 7:07 AM (#9565 - in reply to #7911) (#9565) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-25 7:07 AM

The January contest is now over. Passwords removed from booklets.
@ 2013-01-25 10:59 AM (#9567 - in reply to #9565) (#9567) Top

Richard



Posts: 191
10020202020
Country : The Netherlands

Richard posted @ 2013-01-25 10:59 AM

Congratulations to the players who took the top spots, both in Seasoners category (Jaku111, Timothy, Janoslaw) as well as in Beginners (zbych, elena_tens, affpuzz) category.

I am happy to see almost 270 participants!

I am also happy to see that a lot of Beginners were able to solve all Classics within the time limit and also that seven Beginners managed to solve all Variants in time. Well done!

When Deb asked me if I was willing to write a Beginners Sudoku Contest for LMI, I didn’t hesitate for a split second. It meant two challenges for me: First of all, I have never written a classic sudoku before. Second, writing interesting but EASY variants, sounds like a contradiction in itself to me.

Classics
I just started with the classics as I lack experience. It was fun to look for nice patterns of given digits with good solvable sudokus. I wanted the maximum number of given digits to be 27, use different kinds of symmetry and use some unusual patterns.
There is not much to say about it; no dirty tricks, no naked singles (I am not so good in spotting those, and that might be the reason I am not so fond of this technique, and thus don’t put it often in my own puzzles.) Only speed solving skills are required to tackle all four classics. And a lot of you managed to do so.

Variants
When I start making a sudoku variant, one of my goals is to reduce the number of clues to an absolute minimum. Especially for the puzzles I create for the puzzle portal in Germany I do this very often. The only exception to this rule is when symmetry is broken by removing a clue.

But for the puzzles that are part of a Beginners Contest, I had to let go this rule pretty soon; the puzzles would have become too hard that way. For example: the irregular didn’t have the 6 and 4 in the centre in the First version and the killer had the two cages of 6 combined to one of 12 in rows 2/3 and cages 10 and 9 combined to one of 19 in rows 3/4/5. Both puzzles were too hard, so I repaired the difficulty level by placing extra givens and by splitting the cages.

Some notes to some of the variants:
Untouch: the untouch rule is necessary only a few times. Mainly normal sudoku solving techniques are used.

XV: For this puzzle the 3 centre columns can be filled very quick. The blocks 1 and 9 provide a lot of information so you can proceed very fast after that. Especially when using the information where there is no X or V.

Killer: I am fond of larger cages and I love diagonal symmetry. I think eight cages of size two is pretty much the minimum for keeping it a quickly and smoothly solving puzzle. In my original puzzle there was a bigger role for the cage 28/7 in the center in combination with the cages 11/3 and 16/3 sticking out of the 3x3-block bottom right. Incredible to see that the fastest solvers tackled this one in around three-and-a-half minute!

It was my pleasure to create this Beginners Contest for you. I hope you all enjoyed it!
@ 2013-02-12 7:24 PM (#9944 - in reply to #7911) (#9944) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-02-12 7:24 PM

February Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the February Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201302

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Irregular and Sudoku XV)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Frame Sudoku)
We are revisiting Extra Region Sudoku

Dates

15th - 21st February (including both dates)

@ 2013-02-13 4:21 PM (#9956 - in reply to #7911) (#9956) Top

Frantz71



Posts: 1

Country : Romania

Frantz71 posted @ 2013-02-13 4:21 PM

The 3rd Sudoku, XV has 2 good results, please check ! :)
326914578
497865123
158732649
814659237
735281496
962473851
689547312
243196785
571328964
@ 2013-02-13 4:35 PM (#9957 - in reply to #9956) (#9957) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
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Administrator posted @ 2013-02-13 4:35 PM

Frantz71 - 2013-02-13 4:21 PM

The 3rd Sudoku, XV has 2 good results, please check ! :)
326914578
497865123
158732649
814659237
735281496
962473851
689547312
243196785
571328964
Completely clueless about which Sudoku XV you are referring to. Please provide a link.
@ 2013-02-13 10:19 PM (#9958 - in reply to #9957) (#9958) Top

Para



Posts: 315
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Para posted @ 2013-02-13 10:19 PM

Administrator - 2013-02-13 4:35 PM

Frantz71 - 2013-02-13 4:21 PM

The 3rd Sudoku, XV has 2 good results, please check ! :)
326914578
497865123
158732649
814659237
735281496
962473851
689547312
243196785
571328964
Completely clueless about which Sudoku XV you are referring to. Please provide a link.


Pretty sure this is the XV Sudoku from the last WPF GP.

Frantz, all instances of X and V are given, so there can't be any digits adding to 10 or 5 anywhere in the grid except where the X's and V's are given. Because there are numerous places two adjacent digits add to 5 and 10 in your solution, where no X or V is given, you solution is not valid.

I hope this helps.
@ 2013-02-15 12:33 AM (#9982 - in reply to #7911) (#9982) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2013-02-15 12:33 AM

February Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Variants Points

Extra Region Sudoku - 8 points
Sudoku XV - 5 points
Irregular Sudoku - 5 points
Frame Sudoku - 12 points
All 4 variants are written by Prasanna Seshadri.

Classsic Points

Classic 1 - 4 points
Classic 2 - 7 points
Classic 3 - 11 points
Classic 4 - 8 points
All 4 classics are written by Deb Mohanty.

Submission link

If you still haven't figured out, here is the submission link for Beginners Contest.

@ 2013-02-15 8:37 PM (#9990 - in reply to #9982) (#9990) Top

kishy72



Posts: 419
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Country : India

kishy72 posted @ 2013-02-15 8:37 PM

Nice Tough sudokus.Thankful that Grand prix Indian round got completed just before this.Could carry on the momentum comfortably .I could almost feel instinctively where the numbers would be hidden.Ah Hidden singles again all over the place!!!Lovely construction
Some very really narrow points in the sudokus.Thankfully i found them sooner without wasting much time.
Overall CLASSIC classics!!!!!
@ 2013-02-16 7:40 PM (#9996 - in reply to #7911) (#9996) Top

SKnight



Posts: 25
20
Country : United States

SKnight posted @ 2013-02-16 7:40 PM

The instructions on the "Frame Sudoku" for the on-screen solving (not the pdf) are wrong.
They're instructions for a Killer rather than a Frame.
It could definitely cause confusion for anyone who is expecting the instructions to remind them how Frame works.
@ 2013-02-16 8:23 PM (#9997 - in reply to #7911) (#9997) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-02-16 8:23 PM

Frame Sudoku rules


Please note that the online interface contains the rules for Killer Sudoku instead of Frame Sudoku. This will be fixed shortly. You can still access the correct rules by either keeping this page open - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201302 or just downloading and opening the pdf while solving.


@ 2013-02-16 11:02 PM (#9999 - in reply to #7911) (#9999) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-02-16 11:02 PM

Update


The above problem is now fixed.


@ 2013-02-17 10:27 PM (#10003 - in reply to #7911) (#10003) Top

rajeshk




Posts: 542
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Country : India

rajeshk posted @ 2013-02-17 10:27 PM

I liked this test very much esp. the Classic puzzles. Each classic puzzle was very well created to give the minimum required hints. Extra Region Sudoku was nothing but Windoku itself. I think we could have introduced this type in this test instead of saying it as Extra Region Sudoku. I also liked the Frame Sudoku. Rest Sudoku XV and Irregular were easy ones. Overall very enjoyable Test. Thanks to Deb, Prassanna and LMI for this great test.

@ 2013-02-17 10:36 PM (#10004 - in reply to #10003) (#10004) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2013-02-17 10:36 PM

rajeshk - 2013-02-17 10:27 PM
Extra Region Sudoku was nothing but Windoku itself.
That is an interesting observation. Not sure if Prasanna designed it that way.
@ 2013-02-18 12:39 AM (#10007 - in reply to #7911) (#10007) Top

cnarrikkattu



Posts: 25
20
Country : United States

cnarrikkattu posted @ 2013-02-18 12:39 AM

Puzzles were nice. Alas, I was hung up on the Frame Sudoku for quite a while due to my own silliness (when you need 2 pairs for a 7-sum, don't pick 2+6 and 3+5 :))
@ 2013-02-19 1:00 AM (#10014 - in reply to #9944) (#10014) Top

Black Tiger



Posts: 11

Country : Iran

Black Tiger posted @ 2013-02-19 1:00 AM

Hi :)
I'm new to LMI
I prefer to solve online but I'm not familiar with your online interface, can you please tell me how can I delete a pencil mark?
I tried "Delete" and "Backspace" and none of them can delete a pencil mark :p
@ 2013-02-19 2:33 AM (#10016 - in reply to #10014) (#10016) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-02-19 2:33 AM

Black Tiger - 2013-02-19 1:00 AM

Hi :)
I'm new to LMI
I prefer to solve online but I'm not familiar with your online interface, can you please tell me how can I delete a pencil mark?
I tried "Delete" and "Backspace" and none of them can delete a pencil mark :p


For removing a pencil mark, you can press Ctrl+digit or Ctrl+leftClick. Its given in the "How to Submit?" section of the submissions page. :)
@ 2013-02-19 8:53 AM (#10019 - in reply to #10016) (#10019) Top

Black Tiger



Posts: 11

Country : Iran

Black Tiger posted @ 2013-02-19 8:53 AM

prasanna16391 - 2013-02-19 12:33 AM

Black Tiger - 2013-02-19 1:00 AM

Hi :)
I'm new to LMI
I prefer to solve online but I'm not familiar with your online interface, can you please tell me how can I delete a pencil mark?
I tried "Delete" and "Backspace" and none of them can delete a pencil mark :p


For removing a pencil mark, you can press Ctrl+digit or Ctrl+leftClick. Its given in the "How to Submit?" section of the submissions page. :)


Thank you :)
found the point and solved the test online last night :D
@ 2013-02-20 5:27 AM (#10026 - in reply to #7911) (#10026) Top

FoxFireX




Posts: 35
20
Country : United States

FoxFireX posted @ 2013-02-20 5:27 AM

Disappointed in my performance in part one. Decided to give it a try after getting my 10-month old to bed, and he of course woke up 30 minutes into the thing. Having to shoo the neighbor's cat off a couple of times didn't help. Oh well. Guess I may eventually learn not to do these when I'm the responsible caretaker. :)
@ 2013-02-23 1:40 AM (#10044 - in reply to #7911) (#10044) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-02-23 1:40 AM

Beginners' Contest February is over. DavidCollison, Bram28 and Tokeiya take the top spots among the Beginners. f4han, Timothy and Gotroch take the top 3 Seasoner spots with some incredible times as always. Congratulations to all the winners.

This Beginners' Contest had a high participation of 318, among which 135 are beginners.

This was the first Beginners' Contest where I contributed as an author, and as I still needed work on my Classic side, Deb kindly agreed to contribute that half and came through with some high quality classics. As for the variants, I feel Frame Sudoku can be an inherently difficult type, because a lot of it involves triplet-thinking, and so I tried to make the other variants on the easy side. This particular Frame sudoku has a tricky few steps around the 3rd box, but otherwise its pretty smooth. Its important to note the hidden sums too in Frames, and there were a few helpful ones here, like the hidden 24 in row 1 for example. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed both the classics and the variants.

Thank you all for participating!
@ 2013-02-23 1:58 AM (#10045 - in reply to #10044) (#10045) Top

DavidCollison



Posts: 5

Country : United Kingdom

DavidCollison posted @ 2013-02-23 1:58 AM

prasanna16391 - 2013-02-23 1:40 AM
... Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed both the classics and the variants. Thank you all for participating!

Thank you to you, Deb and the other organisers for a very enjoyable contest. Finding a Windoku as the Extra Regions puzzle was a pleasant surprise. I found the Frame puzzle heavy going for a while, but it really taught me the value of triplet-thinking as you mention : in general when dealing with variants, it's normally helpful to also remember to apply the basics such as rows, columns and blocks summing to 45 (including the middle block in this case).

David
@ 2013-03-25 8:38 AM (#10416 - in reply to #7911) (#10416) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-03-25 8:38 AM

March Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the March Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201303

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Frame Sudoku and Extra Region Sudoku)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Renban Sudoku)
We are revisiting Odd Sudoku

Dates

28th March - 3rd April (including both dates)

Authors :
Variants by Branko Ceranic
Classics by Branko Ceranic and Deb Mohanty

@ 2013-03-28 5:29 AM (#10461 - in reply to #7911) (#10461) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-03-28 5:29 AM

March Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Variants Points - Submission link

Extra Region Sudoku - 7 points
Renban Sudoku - 10 points
Odd Sudoku - 4 points
Frame Sudoku - 9 points

Classsic Points - Submission link

Classic 1 - 4 points
Classic 2 - 5 points
Classic 3 - 8 points
Classic 4 - 13 points

@ 2013-04-01 8:07 AM (#10487 - in reply to #7911) (#10487) Top

PuzzleScott



Posts: 42
2020
Country : United States

PuzzleScott posted @ 2013-04-01 8:07 AM

If I read the Renban rules correctly, a line which is a closed loop in a 3x3 block is impossible (since consecutive digits in a block must be a chain, which cannot possibly close as a loop). What am I missing?
@ 2013-04-01 8:08 AM (#10488 - in reply to #7911) (#10488) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-04-01 8:08 AM

Please note that order of digits inside the line does not matter.
@ 2013-04-04 12:21 PM (#10521 - in reply to #7911) (#10521) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-04-04 12:21 PM

Passwords removed from booklets.
@ 2013-04-05 12:14 AM (#10529 - in reply to #10461) (#10529) Top

skywalker



Posts: 42
2020
Country : Serbia

skywalker posted @ 2013-04-05 12:14 AM

About one month ago, Deb came to me with idea to prepare Variants for March test.
I usually don't make sudokus (and puzzles), but in last few months I created some sudokus and puzzles and decided to confirm to Deb.
I have some troubles and errors during test preparation, but at the end I'm glad that I succeeded to finish sudokus for test.
Deb, thank you!

One of the Variants (Renban) left from sudokus I created for Serbian round of WPF Grand Prix (Nikola, Cedomir and Zoran made rest), so I use a chance to invite all of you to play also in about two weeks from now.

Branko
@ 2013-04-06 3:22 AM (#10552 - in reply to #7911) (#10552) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-04-06 3:22 AM

Beginners' Contest March is over.

Congrats to nyoroppyi (Japan), dp_94 (India) and affpuzz (USA) for achieving the top positions.

Among the seasoners, janoslaw (Poland), Timothy (France) and Gotroch (Czech Republic) lead the standings.

Thanks to Branko Ceranic for authoring an enjoyable set of Sudokus.

On a personal note, the Frame and then the Renban were my favorites. I'm quite surprised at a top 10 finish, I didn't think it went all that well while solving. Looking forward to the Serbian GP now :)
@ 2013-06-05 6:21 AM (#11152 - in reply to #7911) (#11152) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-06-05 6:21 AM

June Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the June 2013 Edition of LMI Beginners' Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201306

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Odd Sudoku and Renban Sudoku)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Inequality Sudoku)
We are revisiting Diagonal Sudoku

Dates

7th June - 13th June (including both dates)

Author :
Seungjae Kwak (Kwaka)

@ 2013-06-07 5:40 AM (#11164 - in reply to #7911) (#11164) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-06-07 5:40 AM

June Beginners' Sudoku Contest started.
Here are the links
Submission : http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/
Score page : http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/score.asp
@ 2013-06-08 2:39 PM (#11170 - in reply to #7911) (#11170) Top

86.jyotsna



Posts: 3

86.jyotsna posted @ 2013-06-08 2:39 PM

hi....i am not able to start the test....please guide as to how to enter the championship
@ 2013-06-08 3:24 PM (#11171 - in reply to #7911) (#11171) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-06-08 3:24 PM

If you haven't yet, go on the Submission link given by the Admin above your post, and click on "How to participate?" on that page. If you've read through that and done everything thats written there and you still face problems, let us know and we'll look into it.
@ 2013-06-08 5:17 PM (#11172 - in reply to #7911) (#11172) Top

86.jyotsna



Posts: 3

86.jyotsna posted @ 2013-06-08 5:17 PM

Yes i went through that but I am not able to see a "Start Classics" or "Start Variants" button as suggested in step 2...
@ 2013-06-08 5:18 PM (#11173 - in reply to #7911) (#11173) Top

86.jyotsna



Posts: 3

86.jyotsna posted @ 2013-06-08 5:18 PM

Yes i went through that but I am not able to see a "Start Classics" or "Start Variants" button as suggested in step 2...
@ 2013-06-08 9:56 PM (#11175 - in reply to #7911) (#11175) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-06-08 9:56 PM

We can't see anything wrong at our end, and your profile's Country field is empty, so you've not done Step 1 completely. Do remember that if you are participating for the first time, filling out the Country field is mandatory.
@ 2013-06-10 4:55 PM (#11189 - in reply to #7911) (#11189) Top

teta Emina




Country : BiH

teta Emina posted @ 2013-06-10 4:55 PM

Hi e1...
I am not sure if its on my end or not, but i cannot access the variant Sudoku?
I see the 'start classic' button and under it is 'You have completed Classics'...
Thanks in advance for ur help
@ 2013-06-10 5:13 PM (#11190 - in reply to #11189) (#11190) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-06-10 5:13 PM

teta Emina - 2013-06-10 4:55 PM

Hi e1...
I am not sure if its on my end or not, but i cannot access the variant Sudoku?
I see the 'start classic' button and under it is 'You have completed Classics'...
Thanks in advance for ur help


If you are on the submission link given above, you will see somewhere around the top, "Click here for Variants", containing the link to the variants page.
@ 2013-06-10 6:28 PM (#11191 - in reply to #11190) (#11191) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-06-10 6:28 PM

prasanna16391 - 2013-06-10 5:13 PM

teta Emina - 2013-06-10 4:55 PM

Hi e1...
I am not sure if its on my end or not, but i cannot access the variant Sudoku?
I see the 'start classic' button and under it is 'You have completed Classics'...
Thanks in advance for ur help


If you are on the submission link given above, you will see somewhere around the top, "Click here for Variants", containing the link to the variants page.
Here is the link for variants : http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?Part=V
@ 2013-06-10 6:40 PM (#11192 - in reply to #7911) (#11192) Top

teta Emina




Country : BiH

teta Emina posted @ 2013-06-10 6:40 PM

got it :D thank you very much
@ 2013-06-14 6:17 AM (#11213 - in reply to #7911) (#11213) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-06-14 6:17 AM

June Beginners' Sudoku Contest is over now. Password removed from booklets.
@ 2013-06-16 5:17 PM (#11230 - in reply to #7916) (#11230) Top

japinder



Posts: 3

Country : India

japinder posted @ 2013-06-16 5:17 PM

I am a newcomer and I want to participate



please reply
@ 2013-06-16 5:18 PM (#11231 - in reply to #7916) (#11231) Top

japinder



Posts: 3

Country : India

japinder posted @ 2013-06-16 5:18 PM

I am a newcomer and I want to participate



please reply
@ 2013-06-16 5:20 PM (#11232 - in reply to #11231) (#11232) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-06-16 5:20 PM

japinder - 2013-06-16 5:18 PM

I am a newcomer and I want to participate



please reply


We already replied.
@ 2013-07-07 8:36 PM (#11593 - in reply to #7911) (#11593) Top

Sanchita



Posts: 1

Sanchita posted @ 2013-07-07 8:36 PM

hello..
i have just registered on the website.. please let me know about the ongoing competitions and how should i begin with them??
is beginners sudoku contest over???
@ 2013-07-07 9:33 PM (#11598 - in reply to #11593) (#11598) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-07-07 9:33 PM

Sanchita - 2013-07-07 8:36 PM

hello..
i have just registered on the website.. please let me know about the ongoing competitions and how should i begin with them??
is beginners sudoku contest over???


Hi Sanchita. The only contest going on right now is the Indian Puzzle Championship, but the official part of that is over.

Beginners' Sudoku contests are held regularly through the year, and if you just look at the forum once in a while, you'll see the latest ongoing contest in the top right of your screen.
@ 2013-07-24 12:20 PM (#11890 - in reply to #7911) (#11890) Top

apskalee



Posts: 2

Country : India

apskalee posted @ 2013-07-24 12:20 PM

Sir,
I want to participate in the monthly contests. I am the beginner. Kindly help me to participate the monthly tests and instruct me as to how to proceed
@ 2013-07-24 1:02 PM (#11891 - in reply to #11890) (#11891) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-07-24 1:02 PM

apskalee - 2013-07-24 12:20 PM

Sir,
I want to participate in the monthly contests. I am the beginner. Kindly help me to participate the monthly tests and instruct me as to how to proceed


As of now, there aren't any monthly contests announced. The next contest here will be the ISC which you can follow up on here - http://logicmastersindia.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=712 .

Other than that, visit the forum regularly, the current contest will be present on the top right (Where the Times Sudoku Championship 2013 is shown right now). You can also keep an eye on this topic itself for future Beginners' contests. You can solve the past contests in the mean time by going through the archives here - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/ .
@ 2013-07-24 3:16 PM (#11892 - in reply to #7911) (#11892) Top

apskalee



Posts: 2

Country : India

apskalee posted @ 2013-07-24 3:16 PM

How to solve the problems on line. Or I have to take a note and practise outside the system If so where r the answers Do U have any demonstration (live) with U and if so how to open the sane
@ 2013-07-24 3:19 PM (#11893 - in reply to #11892) (#11893) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-07-24 3:19 PM

apskalee - 2013-07-24 3:16 PM

How to solve the problems on line. Or I have to take a note and practise outside the system If so where r the answers Do U have any demonstration (live) with U and if so how to open the sane
Please check this link : http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/
You can practice last month's sudokus there.
@ 2013-07-28 10:32 PM (#11960 - in reply to #7911) (#11960) Top

Brainstorm



Posts: 2

Country : India

Brainstorm posted @ 2013-07-28 10:32 PM

When will the monthly test for july be? How will I get intimated about it?
@ 2013-07-28 10:34 PM (#11961 - in reply to #7911) (#11961) Top

Brainstorm



Posts: 2

Country : India

Brainstorm posted @ 2013-07-28 10:34 PM

I mean to say the Beginners test for the month of July
@ 2013-07-28 10:49 PM (#11962 - in reply to #11961) (#11962) Top

macherlakumar




Posts: 123
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macherlakumar posted @ 2013-07-28 10:49 PM

Brainstorm - 2013-07-28 10:34 PM
I mean to say the Beginners test for the month of July

Hi,
Usually all contests will be announced in 1 week advance.
There is Indian Sudoku Championship that will be held on 10th August, 2013, check this link
There is no contest in July.
Keep watching the forum for updates/information.

Regards,
Ravi
@ 2013-07-29 8:44 PM (#11986 - in reply to #11152) (#11986) Top

INF.Susan



Posts: 2

Country : India

INF.Susan posted @ 2013-07-29 8:44 PM

Hi,
I have joined LMI today. Where i can go and start solving sudoku? can anyone help me little bit.

Shailendra
@ 2013-07-29 9:39 PM (#11993 - in reply to #11986) (#11993) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-07-29 9:39 PM

INF.Susan - 2013-07-29 8:44 PM

Hi,
I have joined LMI today. Where i can go and start solving sudoku? can anyone help me little bit.

Shailendra


Hi Shailendra. You have two sets of archives you can look through for Sudokus. First, if you are new to variations in general, I suggest taking a look at Beginners' Contests. There is month-wise categorization on the right of that link, and each month has one Classics PDF and one Variants PDF that you can print and solve (there is generally an interface when a contest is live, but since these are past ones, there are just PDFs. If you go to the latest one in June 2013, I think the interface is still activated).

There are also Monthly Sudoku tests that can be found here. These are of higher difficulty, generally around the standard of difficulty seen at the World Championships.

The next contest here on LMI will be the Indian Sudoku Championship, which you just need to keep track of on this topic.
@ 2013-07-30 1:54 PM (#12008 - in reply to #11993) (#12008) Top

INF.Susan



Posts: 2

Country : India

INF.Susan posted @ 2013-07-30 1:54 PM

Thanks prasanna for the information. It means I can not solve live now but I can download pdfs and practice. I will participate in next month contest. I think next live is on 10th Aug.
@ 2013-08-04 5:25 PM (#12081 - in reply to #7911) (#12081) Top

Kumaresan R



Posts: 27
20
Country : India

Kumaresan R posted @ 2013-08-04 5:25 PM

hello i am kumaesan recently joined this forum, i would like to know when will be the next beginners test
@ 2013-08-04 5:40 PM (#12082 - in reply to #12081) (#12082) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-04 5:40 PM

Kumaresan R - 2013-08-04 5:25 PM

hello i am kumaesan recently joined this forum, i would like to know when will be the next beginners test


Hi Kumaresan. as of now, there is no Beginners' test announced, but they are held regularly, so keep a lookout on this forum for such an announcement. In the meantime, check out the topic of the Indian Sudoku Championship, which will be on 11th August (click on the link of the same on the top right to get to the discussion topic for that).
@ 2013-08-13 12:33 PM (#12284 - in reply to #7911) (#12284) Top

lakshmisv



Posts: 24
20
Country : India

lakshmisv posted @ 2013-08-13 12:33 PM

I am a beginner, and I want to have exposure to the different sudoku variations. Can anybody suggest any links with rules & examples/techniques for this?

Thanks
@ 2013-08-13 12:55 PM (#12287 - in reply to #12284) (#12287) Top

macherlakumar




Posts: 123
10020
Country : India

macherlakumar posted @ 2013-08-13 12:55 PM

lakshmisv - 2013-08-13 12:33 PM
I am a beginner, and I want to have exposure to the different sudoku variations. Can anybody suggest any links with rules & examples/techniques for this?
Thanks


Hi,
This may help you in what you are looking for
List of Sudoku contests held so far: http://logicmastersindia.com/lmitests/downloads.asp?puzzleTypes=S
List of Sudoku/Puzzle sites/blogs: http://logicmastersindia.com/home/?g=links

Regards,
Ravi
@ 2013-08-14 12:13 PM (#12302 - in reply to #7911) (#12302) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-14 12:13 PM

August Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the August Edition of LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201308

Following up on the recent Times Championship's regional rounds, we are revisiting Odd-Even Sudoku, Trio Sudoku and Diagonal Sudoku.
We are also revisiting 7x7 Irregular Sudoku, instead of Alphabet Sudoku used in the above mentioned regional rounds.

Dates

21st - 26th August (including both dates)

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by the World Sudoku Champion, Jan Mrozowski.

Submission Link


@ 2013-08-14 4:11 PM (#12303 - in reply to #7954) (#12303) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2013-08-14 4:11 PM

This sounds really great. I took my first shot at Sudokus seriously in the Times Sudoku Championship and then tried to solve at the ISC held on 11th Aug' 2013. I really enjoyed it though I stumbled a lot since this was my first participation in an online championship like this. Couldnt crack through in the beginning and lost lot of precious moments. It took quite some time for the puzzles to appear and I thought I was making some mistakes and kept going back to instruction booklet again and again.

Just a request......It would be great if you could handhold a bit in the steps to play the championship online without a printer. The instruction needed little more elaboration. Again only a request, since there could be more people like me who are interested in participating but not quite going past the steps quickly. Thanks again for starting the beginners championship. Looking forward to it...will participate definitely.
@ 2013-08-14 4:29 PM (#12304 - in reply to #12303) (#12304) Top

debmohanty




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Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-14 4:29 PM

playee - 2013-08-14 4:11 PM

This sounds really great. I took my first shot at Sudokus seriously in the Times Sudoku Championship and then tried to solve at the ISC held on 11th Aug' 2013. I really enjoyed it though I stumbled a lot since this was my first participation in an online championship like this. Couldnt crack through in the beginning and lost lot of precious moments. It took quite some time for the puzzles to appear and I thought I was making some mistakes and kept going back to instruction booklet again and again.

Hi
Can you go to http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/ ?
Login, and click on "Start Classics".
The Sudokus take a while to load, but not more than 10-15 seconds. Does it take more time for you? You need to scroll a bit to see the sudokus.

playee - 2013-08-14 4:11 PM
Just a request......It would be great if you could handhold a bit in the steps to play the championship online without a printer. The instruction needed little more elaboration. Again only a request, since there could be more people like me who are interested in participating but not quite going past the steps quickly. Thanks again for starting the beginners championship. Looking forward to it...will participate definitely.

Online solving takes a while to get used to. That is reason we had enabled some examples to be solved online.
The key board / mouse controls are described here. Other than that it is more of practice than anything else. If you have any specific question / request, please post here again and one of us will help you out.
@ 2013-08-14 4:53 PM (#12306 - in reply to #7911) (#12306) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2013-08-14 4:53 PM

Thanks Deb....I did go to the link provided by you above which led to the instructions and steps provided for June Beginners Championship. I have one more question...In step 3, it says using the password provided below the timer, the Sudoku booklet can be unlocked. Now how to use this passwork, click on it or paste it somewhere....Actually on Aug 11th, I was frantically clicking on it and a couple of other tabs not knowing exactly what to do with it. And lo! it just worked....but didn't know how...hence now this question to you, so I don't repeat this again. Thanks in advance again.
@ 2013-08-14 5:00 PM (#12307 - in reply to #12306) (#12307) Top

debmohanty




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Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-14 5:00 PM

playee - 2013-08-14 4:53 PM

Thanks Deb....I did go to the link provided by you above which led to the instructions and steps provided for June Beginners Championship. I have one more question...In step 3, it says using the password provided below the timer, the Sudoku booklet can be unlocked. Now how to use this passwork, click on it or paste it somewhere....Actually on Aug 11th, I was frantically clicking on it and a couple of other tabs not knowing exactly what to do with it. And lo! it just worked....but didn't know how...hence now this question to you, so I don't repeat this again. Thanks in advance again.
Password is not to be used by players who are solving online. You can simply ignore it.

If you are solving on paper, you need to download the "Sudoku Booklet", which is a password protected pdf file. When you click on "Start Classics" (or Start ISC), we display the password. Using this password, you can open the pdf file and print and start solving on paper.

So, to repeat, if you are solving online, you don't need to do anything with the password.

Some of the documentation may be little out-dated or may not be clear enough. We have been running these tests for so long that everything just seems natural to us. So, feel free to point out any oddity that you notice anywhere, and we will rectify it as needed.
@ 2013-08-14 5:08 PM (#12308 - in reply to #12287) (#12308) Top

lakshmisv



Posts: 24
20
Country : India

lakshmisv posted @ 2013-08-14 5:08 PM

Thanks Ravi for the links
@ 2013-08-14 5:32 PM (#12309 - in reply to #7911) (#12309) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2013-08-14 5:32 PM

Thanks again Deb and one more request! Can you put me on some links where I can practice online solving. I came across a lot of archives with sample sudokus in PDF form....but I guess practicing online would be better in terms of pre-preparation prior to the ensuing Beginner's Championship on 21st Aug, 2013. Thanks again in advance.
@ 2013-08-14 6:37 PM (#12311 - in reply to #12309) (#12311) Top

debmohanty




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Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-14 6:37 PM

playee - 2013-08-14 5:32 PM

Thanks again Deb and one more request! Can you put me on some links where I can practice online solving. I came across a lot of archives with sample sudokus in PDF form....but I guess practicing online would be better in terms of pre-preparation prior to the ensuing Beginner's Championship on 21st Aug, 2013. Thanks again in advance.
You are right that all the archived tests are only in pdf-form. As of now, the June Beginners Test and ISC 2013 are available for practicing online. But I guess you have practiced both of them already.

We did put lot of interactively solvable sudokus here - http://logicmastersindia.com/puzzles/ but it has been a while since anything new was added there.
@ 2013-08-15 3:55 AM (#12324 - in reply to #12302) (#12324) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
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Country : Switzerland

Fred76 posted @ 2013-08-15 3:55 AM

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by the World Sudoku Champion, Jan Mrozowski.



Oh it's been a long time since I have not solved a sudoku created by Jan.
Last time, it suited me rather well .
@ 2013-08-21 9:00 AM (#12395 - in reply to #7911) (#12395) Top

FoxFireX




Posts: 35
20
Country : United States

FoxFireX posted @ 2013-08-21 9:00 AM

First time I've managed to actually submit all 8 in the beginner's contest before time, so hooray for that! Question, though; according to the results, it looks like I migrated into the Seasoners category at some point recently. The beginner/seasoner label doesn't really mean a whole lot to me, but I didn't think I had met any of the criteria for promotion yet, plus I don't seem to be on the list of seasoners. Is that where I'm supposed to be now, or was there a glitch in the categories?

Edited by FoxFireX 2013-08-21 9:00 AM
@ 2013-08-21 9:08 AM (#12396 - in reply to #7911) (#12396) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-08-21 9:08 AM

Looks like some glitch... Will look into it.
We have already found few glitches after we had the Beginners Masyu contest.
@ 2013-08-21 7:37 PM (#12398 - in reply to #7911) (#12398) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2013-08-21 7:37 PM

Hi! I managed to submit all 8 sudokus correcty but not within time! I am still happy participating in the beginner's championship. Just wanted to know how the points are calculated. Thanks.
@ 2013-08-21 7:42 PM (#12399 - in reply to #12398) (#12399) Top

debmohanty




1000500100100100202020
Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-21 7:42 PM

playee - 2013-08-21 7:37 PM
Hi! I managed to submit all 8 sudokus correcty but not within time! I am still happy participating in the beginner's championship. Just wanted to know how the points are calculated. Thanks.
Each sudoku has fixed number of points. If you submit it before 40 minutes, you get full points. Otherwise, you get half of the points. That is the reason you have got full points for Classic 1,2,3, Diagonal, Irregular, but half points of Classic 4, Odd Even, Trio.
Also, you get 1 minute penalty for every wrong attempt (which you didn't have)
@ 2013-08-21 7:49 PM (#12400 - in reply to #7911) (#12400) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2013-08-21 7:49 PM

Thanks Deb. I really appreciate your patience to explain each and every query raised!! It was great fun playing the contest. Hope the next one is organised soon. Waiting eagerly for the same!!
@ 2013-08-22 6:26 AM (#12402 - in reply to #12395) (#12402) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-08-22 6:26 AM

FoxFireX - 2013-08-21 9:00 AM

First time I've managed to actually submit all 8 in the beginner's contest before time, so hooray for that! Question, though; according to the results, it looks like I migrated into the Seasoners category at some point recently. The beginner/seasoner label doesn't really mean a whole lot to me, but I didn't think I had met any of the criteria for promotion yet, plus I don't seem to be on the list of seasoners. Is that where I'm supposed to be now, or was there a glitch in the categories?
Can I ask you to logout in the Beginners page, and login again? It should ask if you are a Beginner or Seasoner.
The database somehow has lost the record of you being Beginner or Seasoner. If you logout and login again, it would repeat the question.
@ 2013-08-22 8:17 AM (#12403 - in reply to #12402) (#12403) Top

FoxFireX




Posts: 35
20
Country : United States

FoxFireX posted @ 2013-08-22 8:17 AM

Administrator - 2013-08-21 7:26 PMCan I ask you to logout in the Beginners page, and login again? It should ask if you are a Beginner or Seasoner.
The database somehow has lost the record of you being Beginner or Seasoner. If you logout and login again, it would repeat the question.

Done. Looks like it's set up correctly again now. Thanks! (Now I just have to repeat that performance and I get bumped up anyway.)
@ 2013-08-26 5:07 PM (#12448 - in reply to #7911) (#12448) Top

distri




Posts: 12

Country : France

distri posted @ 2013-08-26 5:07 PM

Hello Deb

It's not really important but why I am never on the list of the participants ?
@ 2013-08-26 5:27 PM (#12449 - in reply to #12448) (#12449) Top

debmohanty




1000500100100100202020
Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-26 5:27 PM

distri - 2013-08-26 5:07 PM

Hello Deb

It's not really important but why I am never on the list of the participants ?
I can see your name. Are you able to view the score page, but your name is not there?
@ 2013-08-27 6:14 AM (#12461 - in reply to #7911) (#12461) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-08-27 6:14 AM

August Beginners' Sudoku Contest is over. Password removed from the booklet. Prasanna will post a summary soon.
@ 2013-08-27 11:51 AM (#12466 - in reply to #12461) (#12466) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
1000500100100100
Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-27 11:51 AM

The August Edition of the Beginners' Sudoku Contests had 364 participants, including 179 Indians. It seems that the high number of Indians could be due to all the offline contests happening here recently. We hope everyone, newcomers and regulars alike, had a good time of it.

The Top 3 Beginners are Regina (Estonia), sa3664 (Shalini Arora) (India) and beartan (Seunro Joo) (South Korea).

The Top 3 Seasoners are TiiT (Estonia), jaku111 (Czech Republic) and Gotroch (Czech Republic).

Congrats to all the winners, and thank you all for participating!

On a personal note, I was a test solver for this Beginners' Contest. I noted that the Trio is harder than most Trios out there, and I thought thats a good thing, because concentrating on 2-3 numbers at a time is one of the best ways to learn new techniques for a Beginner (in my opinion). If anyone does want to know how to finish off the Trio or any other of the 8 Sudokus, feel free to post in the forum, one of us will help you out.
@ 2013-08-27 11:53 AM (#12468 - in reply to #7911) (#12468) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
1000500100100100
Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-27 11:53 AM

Oh and of course, Thanks to Jan Mrozowski for preparing these two quality sets :)
@ 2013-08-27 6:43 PM (#12472 - in reply to #7911) (#12472) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
10010010020
Country : Switzerland

Fred76 posted @ 2013-08-27 6:43 PM

Vunk family monopolized the 1rst place in both category, haha !
@ 2013-08-27 9:11 PM (#12473 - in reply to #7911) (#12473) Top

dp_94



Posts: 25
20
Country : India

dp_94 posted @ 2013-08-27 9:11 PM

hey according to my results,I should be promoted to seasoners category but my name isn't on the list of seasoners.
@ 2013-08-27 9:20 PM (#12474 - in reply to #12473) (#12474) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-08-27 9:20 PM

dp_94 - 2013-08-27 9:11 PM

hey according to my results,I should be promoted to seasoners category but my name isn't on the list of seasoners.
We usually do that before start of next Beginners' Sudoku test. But it is done now. Following players are promoted to Seasoners category after August's test. Congratulations.

gaurav.kjain
pisipaha
distri
dp_94
purzelbaumfan
Ptiguigui
@ 2013-08-28 5:21 AM (#12478 - in reply to #7911) (#12478) Top

FoxFireX




Posts: 35
20
Country : United States

FoxFireX posted @ 2013-08-28 5:21 AM

Looks like I got bumped to seasoner status again. Noticed text on logging in: "You have Achieved 100+ in a Beginners Contest. Marking you as seasoner" I'm guessing that's from the Masyu one, so I guess the glitch is still there. Either that, or my assumption that there would be independent sudoku and puzzle beginner status was wrong. :) Regardless, I'll still be here solving everything I can.
@ 2013-08-29 6:21 PM (#12500 - in reply to #12478) (#12500) Top

debmohanty




1000500100100100202020
Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2013-08-29 6:21 PM

FoxFireX - 2013-08-28 5:21 AM

Looks like I got bumped to seasoner status again. Noticed text on logging in: "You have Achieved 100+ in a Beginners Contest. Marking you as seasoner" I'm guessing that's from the Masyu one, so I guess the glitch is still there. Either that, or my assumption that there would be independent sudoku and puzzle beginner status was wrong. :) Regardless, I'll still be here solving everything I can.
The Masyu test was considered, by mistake, as you had guessed. Unfortunately, some of the data is lost. I have tried to restore from the history. I hope (?) it is correct now, for everyone. My apologies.
@ 2013-08-30 3:08 PM (#12508 - in reply to #12466) (#12508) Top

vijaya_rajan



Posts: 22
20
Country : India

vijaya_rajan posted @ 2013-08-30 3:08 PM

I found the trio sudoku quite difficult, got stuck once the 1-2-3 was done. I would certainly like some pointers to solve this. Also in the recently concluded ISC, I am afraid I found even a few of the 6x6 difficult. Can anyone help ? Similarly smashed sums, greater than consecutive too.
@ 2013-08-30 6:18 PM (#12510 - in reply to #12508) (#12510) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
1000500100100100
Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-30 6:18 PM

vijaya_rajan - 2013-08-30 3:08 PM

I found the trio sudoku quite difficult, got stuck once the 1-2-3 was done. I would certainly like some pointers to solve this. Also in the recently concluded ISC, I am afraid I found even a few of the 6x6 difficult. Can anyone help ? Similarly smashed sums, greater than consecutive too.


Lets go one at a time. This Beginners' Trio Sudoku first. About the 4-5-6 - Concentrate only on elminating 4s throughout the grid, you should get a 4 in the 9th box because of eliminations throughout the grid. About the 7-8-9 - Note that 9 can only be in R2C6 or R8C6 for C6. Also, for C7 and C9, 9 can be either in R2C7,R8C9 or R3C9,R7C7. If its the former, then 9 can't be anywhere in C6.

Let me know if this helps, or if you need more help with Trio. If it helps, then I request you to ask the ISC related stuff in the ISC topic, just to not mix up everything.
@ 2013-09-03 7:50 PM (#12569 - in reply to #12510) (#12569) Top

vijaya_rajan



Posts: 22
20
Country : India

vijaya_rajan posted @ 2013-09-03 7:50 PM

Thank you very much, the 9-part I could quickly understand, having a slight tussle with the 4-part but will get it eventually. It is amazing how each thing unravels so smoothly. I have a number of questions on the ISC, will ask them in the right forum. Once again thanks.
@ 2013-09-21 7:39 PM (#12809 - in reply to #7911) (#12809) Top

nsn20



Posts: 1

Country : India

nsn20 posted @ 2013-09-21 7:39 PM

Hello,

Bigginer here...how and where can I practice(previous puzzles) for upcoming contest...please guide. i would like to practice online.

Rgds.
@ 2013-12-22 8:22 AM (#13900 - in reply to #7911) (#13900) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-22 8:22 AM

December Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the December Edition of LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201312

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Diagonal Sudoku and Irregular Sudoku)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Arrow Sudoku)
We are revisiting Inequality Sudoku

Dates

24th - 30th December (including both dates)

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by Bastien "Ours brun" Vial-Jaime. In case you are not aware of his blog, Ours brun publishes some high quality sudokus, currently approximately once a week, in his blog - http://enigm-attic.blogspot.com/

@ 2013-12-23 3:09 AM (#13906 - in reply to #7911) (#13906) Top

achan1058



Posts: 80
20202020
Country : Canada

achan1058 posted @ 2013-12-23 3:09 AM

The image for arrow sudoku is broken.
@ 2013-12-23 9:36 AM (#13907 - in reply to #13906) (#13907) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-23 9:36 AM

achan1058 - 2013-12-23 3:09 AM

The image for arrow sudoku is broken.
Fixed.
@ 2013-12-23 11:08 PM (#13913 - in reply to #13900) (#13913) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-23 11:08 PM

Points Distribution

Classics

6 + 7 + 7 + 10

Variants

Diagonal - 7
Irregular - 6
Arrow - 8
Inequality - 9

Submission Link

http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/


@ 2013-12-24 4:35 AM (#13916 - in reply to #7911) (#13916) Top

Ours brun




Posts: 148
1002020
Country : France

Ours brun posted @ 2013-12-24 4:35 AM

Good luck to everybody; I hope you will enjoy the puzzles and wish dearly that beginners will find them both interesting and affordable enough. Do your best and have fun!
@ 2013-12-24 8:04 AM (#13918 - in reply to #7911) (#13918) Top

swaroop2011




Posts: 668
500100202020
Country : India

swaroop2011 posted @ 2013-12-24 8:04 AM

I did well in classics this time and screwed up in variants. :(
i kept on doing mistakes on diagonal. All sudoku are awesome. Only thing i felt is inequality was hard in respect of beginners :)
but a nice test overall. :)
@ 2013-12-24 9:44 AM (#13920 - in reply to #13900) (#13920) Top

achan1058



Posts: 80
20202020
Country : Canada

achan1058 posted @ 2013-12-24 9:44 AM

The inequality was indeed hard. I botched the classic pretty badly. I should have gotten the whole thing in 21 minutes, but alas, I botched the 10 point and had to erase the whole thing.
@ 2013-12-24 10:50 AM (#13921 - in reply to #13900) (#13921) Top

megha.s



Posts: 4

Country : India

megha.s posted @ 2013-12-24 10:50 AM

hey is this test online or offline??
@ 2013-12-24 10:59 AM (#13922 - in reply to #13921) (#13922) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-24 10:59 AM

megha.s - 2013-12-24 10:50 AM

hey is this test online or offline??
Online. You can either play using the flash interface on your computer screen OR you can solve on paper by printing the pdf.
@ 2013-12-24 2:10 PM (#13924 - in reply to #13922) (#13924) Top

megha.s



Posts: 4

Country : India

megha.s posted @ 2013-12-24 2:10 PM

okay thank you:)
@ 2013-12-24 5:55 PM (#13926 - in reply to #7911) (#13926) Top

detuned



Posts: 152
1002020
Country : United Kingdom

detuned posted @ 2013-12-24 5:55 PM

just finished the classic part of the test. the puzzles were nice, and as always with these I used the flash interface.

However, maybe it's just me, but I found the clash in fonts (typeface, weight, size, colour - pretty much everything!) between the givens and what I was entering made the whole experience pretty painful. I had to do one puzzle twice, and another 3 times because I kept confusing digits!
@ 2013-12-26 12:06 AM (#13935 - in reply to #13926) (#13935) Top

rvarun



Posts: 268
100100202020
Country : India

rvarun posted @ 2013-12-26 12:06 AM

Nice set of puzzles. The inequality was too good with respect to the flow of solving, even though I made mistakes twice in it. It was really seamless in my third attempt. :)
@ 2013-12-28 1:38 AM (#13945 - in reply to #7911) (#13945) Top

achan1058



Posts: 80
20202020
Country : Canada

achan1058 posted @ 2013-12-28 1:38 AM

When someone is disqualified, their answer immediately shows up for me (everyone?) on the results page, instead of being hidden until after the whole contest is over. This is probably not intended.
@ 2013-12-28 4:13 AM (#13946 - in reply to #13945) (#13946) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-28 4:13 AM

achan1058 - 2013-12-28 1:38 AM

When someone is disqualified, their answer immediately shows up for me (everyone?) on the results page, instead of being hidden until after the whole contest is over. This is probably not intended.
This was certainly not intended, but we are safe. When someone - who has not solved all 8 sudokus correctly - views the score page, he/she can see answers to the sudokus that they have submitted correctly.
@ 2013-12-29 8:07 PM (#13955 - in reply to #7911) (#13955) Top

greenhorn



Posts: 164
100202020
Country : Slovakia

greenhorn posted @ 2013-12-29 8:07 PM

Great puzzles! I really enjoyed solving the classics and like the design of variants. Thank you Bastien!
@ 2013-12-30 1:22 AM (#13957 - in reply to #7911) (#13957) Top

UserEstonia



Posts: 1

Country : Estonia

UserEstonia posted @ 2013-12-30 1:22 AM

I'm new here. I just want to practice sudoku test for beginners. But I don't want to be a part of the ratings. How can I do it? On FAQ it's written that I should just take off the mark about ratings close to the button "start test" But when I started that test I didn't see that marks at all! Help me, please.
@ 2013-12-30 3:21 AM (#13958 - in reply to #13957) (#13958) Top

swaroop2011




Posts: 668
500100202020
Country : India

swaroop2011 posted @ 2013-12-30 3:21 AM

UserEstonia - 2013-12-30 1:22 AM

I'm new here. I just want to practice sudoku test for beginners. But I don't want to be a part of the ratings. How can I do it? On FAQ it's written that I should just take off the mark about ratings close to the button "start test" But when I started that test I didn't see that marks at all! Help me, please.


Hie
That check box for test to be considered or not appears close to start test button before starting the test. If you start the test without making any changes, that check box goes away and by default consider this test for ratings. So look out before you start the test.
Hope this helps. :)
@ 2013-12-30 5:16 AM (#13959 - in reply to #13957) (#13959) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-30 5:16 AM

UserEstonia - 2013-12-30 1:22 AM

I'm new here. I just want to practice sudoku test for beginners. But I don't want to be a part of the ratings. How can I do it? On FAQ it's written that I should just take off the mark about ratings close to the button "start test" But when I started that test I didn't see that marks at all! Help me, please.

Beginners Tests are never considered for ratings.
@ 2013-12-30 10:28 PM (#13971 - in reply to #7911) (#13971) Top

suryadevi



Posts: 14

Country : India

suryadevi posted @ 2013-12-30 10:28 PM

I am Surya Devi from India in Tamilnadu at Chennai and i am a member and to play competition and after that my sister also register with this website in this same system, but its not open like as different user and it opens like same user. How can it possible. kindly give me reply. Have we unsubscribe any one of membership or anything solution for that. reply me.
@ 2013-12-30 10:36 PM (#13972 - in reply to #13971) (#13972) Top

kishy72



Posts: 419
100100100100
Country : India

kishy72 posted @ 2013-12-30 10:36 PM

suryadevi - 2013-12-30 10:28 PM

I am Surya Devi from India in Tamilnadu at Chennai and i am a member and to play competition and after that my sister also register with this website in this same system, but its not open like as different user and it opens like same user. How can it possible. kindly give me reply. Have we unsubscribe any one of membership or anything solution for that. reply me.


At the top right of this screen you must see Welcome (your name) View inbox ,control panel and log off from forum. Click on log off from forum first and then a different user can sign in.......
@ 2013-12-30 10:46 PM (#13974 - in reply to #13971) (#13974) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-30 10:46 PM

suryadevi - 2013-12-30 10:28 PM

I am Surya Devi from India in Tamilnadu at Chennai and i am a member and to play competition and after that my sister also register with this website in this same system, but its not open like as different user and it opens like same user. How can it possible. kindly give me reply. Have we unsubscribe any one of membership or anything solution for that. reply me.

You can logout from the beginners page and login as a different player
See image below for location of the logout button.
@ 2013-12-31 12:07 PM (#13977 - in reply to #13972) (#13977) Top

suryadevi



Posts: 14

Country : India

suryadevi posted @ 2013-12-31 12:07 PM

Thanks for reply I done that same rule but its opening like as a same user and its not opening like as a different user. Kindly give me solution for that because i have completed classic but my sister has not been completed even classic also, but when i was open in my username it shows me you have not completed classic and you have not submit answer for even classic because i have completed classic. this is the problem kindly give me good solution.
@ 2013-12-31 1:16 PM (#13979 - in reply to #13977) (#13979) Top

rajeshk




Posts: 542
5002020
Country : India

rajeshk posted @ 2013-12-31 1:16 PM

suryadevi - 2013-12-31 12:07 PM

Thanks for reply I done that same rule but its opening like as a same user and its not opening like as a different user. Kindly give me solution for that because i have completed classic but my sister has not been completed even classic also, but when i was open in my username it shows me you have not completed classic and you have not submit answer for even classic because i have completed classic. this is the problem kindly give me good solution.


I don't think that there should be such problem which you mentioned. Anyway to solve this problem immediately you can try using different browsers.

@ 2013-12-31 1:27 PM (#13982 - in reply to #13900) (#13982) Top

akash.doulani



Posts: 157
1002020
Country : India

akash.doulani posted @ 2013-12-31 1:27 PM

Whats the passwords for the beginners test?
@ 2013-12-31 1:35 PM (#13983 - in reply to #13982) (#13983) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-12-31 1:35 PM

akash.doulani - 2013-12-31 1:27 PM

Whats the passwords for the beginners test?
Passwords removed and solutions appended now to the booklets.
@ 2014-01-21 6:22 PM (#14152 - in reply to #7911) (#14152) Top

vikas boddupalli



Posts: 1

Country : India

vikas boddupalli posted @ 2014-01-21 6:22 PM

when is this months sudoku championship ?
@ 2014-01-22 4:14 AM (#14154 - in reply to #14152) (#14154) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-01-22 4:14 AM

vikas boddupalli - 2014-01-21 6:22 PM

when is this months sudoku championship ?


Do you mean the Beginners' Contest or any contest? If Beginners' Contest, nothing is planned at this moment. If something is, it'll be announced here on this same topic.

If you mean any Sudoku contest, look to the top right, you'll see the link for Special 8 Sudoku Test which is scheduled on 25th January.
@ 2014-02-05 5:40 PM (#14249 - in reply to #7911) (#14249) Top

vinu55



Posts: 1

Country : India

vinu55 posted @ 2014-02-05 5:40 PM

Dear Administrator,
I happen to land on to this web site while surfing if there is any activity going on in India for people intersted in SUDOKU.
I tried searching some online test to qualify or to play and see where I stand, unfortunately I coudlnot .
Can someone guide me in this connection? please.
Regards,
Vinu
@ 2014-02-05 9:50 PM (#14251 - in reply to #14249) (#14251) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-02-05 9:50 PM

vinu55 - 2014-02-05 5:40 PM

Dear Administrator,
I happen to land on to this web site while surfing if there is any activity going on in India for people intersted in SUDOKU.
I tried searching some online test to qualify or to play and see where I stand, unfortunately I coudlnot .
Can someone guide me in this connection? please.
Regards,
Vinu


It so happens that we will be announcing the next contest on this very thread shortly. You can start with that one and see where things go.
@ 2014-02-05 10:00 PM (#14252 - in reply to #7911) (#14252) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-02-05 10:00 PM

February Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the February Edition of LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201402

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Arrow Sudoku and Inequality Sudoku)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Kropki Sudoku)
We are revisiting No Knight Step Sudoku

Dates

8th - 13th February (including both dates)

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by Sina Hedayati. He has written some good quality Sudokus for the Daily League group as well as Sudokucup's Daily variants.

@ 2014-02-05 10:06 PM (#14253 - in reply to #7911) (#14253) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-02-05 10:06 PM

Please note that the dates were changed around 3 minutes after posting. Slight confusion here. Anyway, it's accurate now, 8th is when it will start.
@ 2014-02-05 11:35 PM (#14255 - in reply to #7911) (#14255) Top

auroux



Posts: 145
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auroux posted @ 2014-02-05 11:35 PM

But presumably not *December* 8th as stated in your post since it's the February contest :-)
@ 2014-02-08 7:06 AM (#14266 - in reply to #7911) (#14266) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2014-02-08 7:06 AM

@ 2014-02-11 6:59 PM (#14282 - in reply to #7911) (#14282) Top

mathcrazy



Posts: 35
20
Country : India

mathcrazy posted @ 2014-02-11 6:59 PM

For Kropki Sudoku, does the reverse rule also apply? That is, if there is no white/black dot between 2 cells, does it mean that the numbers are neither consecutive nor half/double of the other?
@ 2014-02-11 7:00 PM (#14283 - in reply to #14282) (#14283) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-02-11 7:00 PM

mathcrazy - 2014-02-11 6:59 PM

For Kropki Sudoku, does the reverse rule also apply? That is, if there is no white/black dot between 2 cells, does it mean that the numbers are neither consecutive nor half/double of the other?
Yes.
@ 2014-02-11 7:37 PM (#14284 - in reply to #7911) (#14284) Top

mathcrazy



Posts: 35
20
Country : India

mathcrazy posted @ 2014-02-11 7:37 PM

I'm unable to solve the Kropki Sudoku. When will the solutions be available?
@ 2014-02-11 8:07 PM (#14285 - in reply to #14284) (#14285) Top

Administrator



20001000500202020
Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-02-11 8:07 PM

mathcrazy - 2014-02-11 7:37 PM

I'm unable to solve the Kropki Sudoku. When will the solutions be available?
Solutions will be available only after the test. Check your inbox for solution to this one.
@ 2014-02-13 11:43 AM (#14304 - in reply to #7911) (#14304) Top

Barun Gupta



Posts: 4

Country : India

Barun Gupta posted @ 2014-02-13 11:43 AM

I am unable to submit the result. it is showing disqualified inspite of having a correct answer. please help
@ 2014-02-13 11:44 AM (#14305 - in reply to #7911) (#14305) Top

Barun Gupta



Posts: 4

Country : India

Barun Gupta posted @ 2014-02-13 11:44 AM

I am unable to submit the result. it is showing disqualified inspite of having a correct answer. please help
@ 2014-02-13 2:33 PM (#14307 - in reply to #14305) (#14307) Top

debmohanty




1000500100100100202020
Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2014-02-13 2:33 PM

Barun Gupta - 2014-02-13 11:44 AM

I am unable to submit the result. it is showing disqualified inspite of having a correct answer. please help
I'm glad that you know D means disqualified.
But do you really not know why you are disqualified ?
@ 2014-02-13 9:50 PM (#14308 - in reply to #14252) (#14308) Top

Barun Gupta



Posts: 4

Country : India

Barun Gupta posted @ 2014-02-13 9:50 PM

Thanks a lot for your reply. I am really not aware of the submission process and that is the sole reason of my post. Once given the proper direction, will submit in the shortest span of time. ;)
@ 2014-02-13 10:15 PM (#14309 - in reply to #14308) (#14309) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-02-13 10:15 PM

Barun Gupta - 2014-02-13 9:50 PM

will submit in the shortest span of time. ;)


In case you've misunderstood the point of these contests, it isn't to just submit answers you already know quickly. You're supposed to actually solve the Sudokus manually. and logically, for the first time once the timer starts. Not just go on making new profiles and submitting answers you already know. Not sure why this needs to be explained, but now that it is, please solve in the spirit of competition like everyone else does. Its for your own "solving" enjoyment, we're not giving out trophies here.
@ 2014-02-15 12:51 PM (#14320 - in reply to #14252) (#14320) Top

Barun Gupta



Posts: 4

Country : India

Barun Gupta posted @ 2014-02-15 12:51 PM

I think you have misunderstood my query and that is the reason you have played with your words in an offensive way. Being rejected all the time, I tried submitting through different names. I have actually solved the puzzles manually and that is the reason I was trying to enlist my name. Anyways, I have understood why I was disqualified and let me clarify with you as well because I feel you do not know the reason yourself. The reason of my disqualification is that I was submitting the paper and the online mode simultaneously. I feel pity for you for not having the appropriate answer. I have nothing to say but to wish you best of luck as a support administrator. hahahaha.....
@ 2014-02-15 1:50 PM (#14321 - in reply to #14320) (#14321) Top

debmohanty




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Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2014-02-15 1:50 PM

Barun Gupta - 2014-02-15 12:51 PM

I think you have misunderstood my query and that is the reason you have played with your words in an offensive way. Being rejected all the time, I tried submitting through different names. I have actually solved the puzzles manually and that is the reason I was trying to enlist my name. Anyways, I have understood why I was disqualified and let me clarify with you as well because I feel you do not know the reason yourself. The reason of my disqualification is that I was submitting the paper and the online mode simultaneously. I feel pity for you for not having the appropriate answer. I have nothing to say but to wish you best of luck as a support administrator. hahahaha.....


I am not sure what is not clear in Prasanna's post above, but I will get it straight now. You were disqualified in December as well (for which you didn't protest). Here is the snapshot of your submission details from December test.



I don't know what others read from this table, but I read it as "it is not possible to solve 4 classics sudokus in 216 seconds, in a fair way. More so, about solving 3 variants in 135 seconds. And apart from solving, this time also includes time to get the password, print it in a printer, and entering the answer keys". Refer to the archive page for December for timings of world's best sudoku players.

Please note the word "fair" there. And we have every right to disqualify players, if we think they are not playing fair.

Once a player is disqualified, they will remain so until we manually change it back. That was the reason you got disqualified in Feb. In any case, I have enough reasons to believe that your Feb timings are not fair as well.
@ 2014-02-15 2:04 PM (#14322 - in reply to #7911) (#14322) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2014-02-15 2:04 PM

Passwords removed and solutions appended to the puzzle booklets.
@ 2014-04-28 4:26 PM (#15140 - in reply to #7911) (#15140) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-04-28 4:26 PM

May Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the May Edition of LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201405

We are continuing with 2 variants from last time (Kropki Sudoku and No Knight Step Sudoku)
We are introducing 1 new variant (Roman Sudoku)
We are revisiting Even Sudoku

Dates

1st - 6th May (including both dates)

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by Nikola Zivanovic.

@ 2014-05-01 5:32 AM (#15160 - in reply to #7911) (#15160) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2014-05-01 5:32 AM

Links


Submitting Classics - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?Part=C
Submitting Variants - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?Part=V
Score page - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/score.asp

Note about Roman Sudoku : In both online and paper modes, submissions are to be done using digits 1-9 (not using Roman notation)


@ 2014-05-01 11:18 AM (#15162 - in reply to #15140) (#15162) Top

auroux



Posts: 145
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auroux posted @ 2014-05-01 11:18 AM

I clearly don't know how to play the No Knight Step in this beginner's test. Still a lot of fun!
@ 2014-05-01 11:27 AM (#15163 - in reply to #15162) (#15163) Top

debmohanty




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debmohanty posted @ 2014-05-01 11:27 AM

auroux - 2014-05-01 11:18 AM

I clearly don't know how to play the No Knight Step in this beginner's test. Still a lot of fun!
Some time along the solve noting that 7 in box 1 can only be at R3C3 was the key for me.
The Roman on the other hand was much harder - at least it seems so from the score page so far.
@ 2014-05-01 10:15 PM (#15167 - in reply to #15162) (#15167) Top

achan1058



Posts: 80
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Country : Canada

achan1058 posted @ 2014-05-01 10:15 PM

auroux - 2014-05-01 12:18 AM

I clearly don't know how to play the No Knight Step in this beginner's test. Still a lot of fun!

Same here. That one took more than than the Roman.
@ 2014-05-07 3:46 PM (#15223 - in reply to #15140) (#15223) Top

xevs



Posts: 43
2020
Country : Japan

xevs posted @ 2014-05-07 3:46 PM

The Classic 3 was really beautiful and adequate difficulty.
Must be a masterpiece!!
@ 2014-05-08 12:05 PM (#15235 - in reply to #7911) (#15235) Top

Administrator



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Administrator posted @ 2014-05-08 12:05 PM

Passwords removed and solutions appended.

Classic 3 was truly a master piece.
@ 2014-05-08 12:08 PM (#15236 - in reply to #15223) (#15236) Top

Nikola



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100
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Nikola posted @ 2014-05-08 12:08 PM

xevs - 2014-05-07 3:46 PM

The Classic 3 was really beautiful and adequate difficulty.
Must be a masterpiece!!


Thank you! I think making this sudoku was a rarely coincidence.

Thanks to all participants and congrats to top beginners, as well to the fastest experienced solvers!

Edited by Nikola 2014-05-08 12:12 PM
@ 2014-07-04 8:19 PM (#15940 - in reply to #15140) (#15940) Top

sagarravrane17



Posts: 3

Country : India

sagarravrane17 posted @ 2014-07-04 8:19 PM

Can someone please explain how to solve Roman Sudoku.
I didn't get this part.... "Some
cells are either
partially or fully
filled, and it is part
of solving to
determine the cells
that need to be
added to."
How can you determine which of them are fully filled ??
@ 2014-07-04 9:26 PM (#15941 - in reply to #15940) (#15941) Top

prasanna16391



Posts: 1802
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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-07-04 9:26 PM

sagarravrane17 - 2014-07-04 8:19 PM

Can someone please explain how to solve Roman Sudoku.
I didn't get this part.... "Some
cells are either
partially or fully
filled, and it is part
of solving to
determine the cells
that need to be
added to."
How can you determine which of them are fully filled ??


That's part of the solve. Say you have a cell with "III". Now III can either stay III which is 3 or the only element that can be added is a V to make it VIII which is 8. So III will be either 3/8. Similarly a cell with "V" has to be 4/5/6/7/8. An "X" has to become a "IX" which is 9, a "I" can never become a 5. These things and other such limitations are used to determine where an element can be added to make the correct digit.
@ 2014-07-21 9:35 AM (#16156 - in reply to #15140) (#16156) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-07-21 9:35 AM

July Beginners' Sudoku Contest

Types

Here are the types for the July Edition of LMI Beginners' Sudoku Contest - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/types/?test=B201407

• Trio Sudoku
• Diagonal Sudoku
• Extra Region Sudoku
• Arrow Sudoku

Since we just had Times Sudoku Championship, we have picked up 2 types (Trio and Diagonal) from the regional finals, we are introducing the other 2 types to the new players.

Dates

23rd - 28th July (including both dates)

Author :

All 8 Sudokus are written by Rohan Rao. As per http://rohanrao91.blogspot.in, Rohan is a three-time Indian puzzle champion and a three-time Indian sudoku champion.

@ 2014-07-23 8:45 AM (#16168 - in reply to #7911) (#16168) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-07-23 8:45 AM

July Beginners' Sudoku Contest has started


Link for Classics round - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?Part=C
Link for Variants round - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/?Part=V
Link for score page - http://logicmastersindia.com/BeginnersSudoku/score.asp



@ 2014-07-23 12:16 PM (#16169 - in reply to #16168) (#16169) Top

lakshmisv



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lakshmisv posted @ 2014-07-23 12:16 PM

I am clueless on how to solve the arrow sudoku - the rest were fine. Once the competition is over, would be grateful if someone could give me a few pointers on how to start. Thanks
@ 2014-07-23 12:29 PM (#16170 - in reply to #16169) (#16170) Top

vopani



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vopani posted @ 2014-07-23 12:29 PM

lakshmisv - 2014-07-23 12:16 PM

I am clueless on how to solve the arrow sudoku - the rest were fine. Once the competition is over, would be grateful if someone could give me a few pointers on how to start. Thanks

We will provide solving steps for Arrow once the competition ends. Hope you enjoyed the other sudokus!
@ 2014-07-23 8:54 PM (#16172 - in reply to #16170) (#16172) Top

margareta456



Posts: 30
20
Country : Poland

margareta456 posted @ 2014-07-23 8:54 PM

have some question, because when i started i claimed as a begginer, because i was. now i have trained for some time and dont now if i should still start as a beginner or maybe seasoner. It's depend of our position in LMI ratings? Or i can change it due to my own feelings who i am?
@ 2014-07-23 11:19 PM (#16174 - in reply to #16156) (#16174) Top

auroux



Posts: 145
1002020
Country : France

auroux posted @ 2014-07-23 11:19 PM

The Arrow sudoku was indeed quite tricky -- not exactly beginner stuff in my opinion.
Apart from that, on the classics I must have set a new record for the number of incorrect solves and broken puzzles. For some reason it took me 3 attempts to get each of the first two puzzles right... :( when I submitted all my answers after 12 minutes, little did I know that my final solve time would be more than twice that.
Professional musicians often claim that a catastrophic general rehearsal is the best guarantee that the concert itself will go well, so perhaps I should take comfort in playing so badly just a few weeks before the WPC...
Denis

@ 2014-07-24 3:45 AM (#16176 - in reply to #16156) (#16176) Top

achan1058



Posts: 80
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achan1058 posted @ 2014-07-24 3:45 AM

The arrow was indeed quite nasty, especially near the end. I ended up having to use some kind of cycle strategy to eliminate a digit.

This contest probably serve as my "most typo per question" as well, having entered 25% of the puzzles incorrectly.
@ 2014-07-24 4:58 AM (#16177 - in reply to #16172) (#16177) Top

auroux



Posts: 145
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Country : France

auroux posted @ 2014-07-24 4:58 AM

margareta456 - 2014-07-23 7:54 AM - wrote:have some question, because when i started i claimed as a begginer, because i was. now i have trained for some time and dont now if i should still start as a beginner or maybe seasoner. It's depend of our position in LMI ratings? Or i can change it due to my own feelings who i am?
As far as I know, It's entirely up to you whether you want to compete as Beginner or Seasoner, depending on how you feel -- unless you have a high LMI rating, in which case you will be forced to compete as a Seasoner.

Edited by auroux 2014-07-24 4:59 AM
@ 2014-07-24 11:33 AM (#16180 - in reply to #16172) (#16180) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-07-24 11:33 AM

margareta456 - 2014-07-23 8:54 PM

have some question, because when i started i claimed as a begginer, because i was. now i have trained for some time and dont now if i should still start as a beginner or maybe seasoner. It's depend of our position in LMI ratings? Or i can change it due to my own feelings who i am?


Once you have chosen to be a beginner, you can become a Seasoner in two main ways,
1. Using LMI ratings/performance on these tests/performance on Monthly tests, there are 4 criteria to get bumped up automatically.
2. If you want to make the change, you may request one of the admins to bump you up manually.
@ 2014-07-24 1:56 PM (#16181 - in reply to #16156) (#16181) Top

coolsprite



Posts: 1

Country : India

coolsprite posted @ 2014-07-24 1:56 PM

The arrow sudoku was the best. First time I am participating in such online sudokus. I could do all the other 7 online and had submitted and finished off yesterday. But today I took the Arrow sudoku on a printout and with a beautiful logic could complete successfully. Wonderful feeling... even if the timing looks awry.... Thanks once again.
@ 2014-07-26 6:24 PM (#16188 - in reply to #16156) (#16188) Top

himanshu_mittal



Posts: 4

Country : India

himanshu_mittal posted @ 2014-07-26 6:24 PM

Mistakenly I did not submitted my answers before 40 minutes. I submit the answers of 3 sudokus at 40:25 and arrow sudoku at 64:31. will i get full points for first 3 sudokus or only half points?
@ 2014-07-27 4:18 AM (#16191 - in reply to #16156) (#16191) Top

swaroop2011




Posts: 668
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Country : India

swaroop2011 posted @ 2014-07-27 4:18 AM

Nice and Awesome Puzzles.
Trio was nice theme.
Arrow literally killed my time took 10 min on that.
@ 2014-07-27 4:42 PM (#16193 - in reply to #16156) (#16193) Top

playee



Posts: 12

Country : India

playee posted @ 2014-07-27 4:42 PM

The arrow Sudoku was a real test to the logic. I submitted the classics well within time and also the 3 variants again in time but the arrow sudoku was a killer. The first time i submitted i got it wrong and then it took almost 100 mins extra to solve the puzzle correctly. I really enjoyed solving it finally though I lost on the time factor. Awaiting eagerly for the next beginners contest already.
@ 2014-07-28 2:21 AM (#16198 - in reply to #16156) (#16198) Top

winash26



Posts: 2

winash26 posted @ 2014-07-28 2:21 AM

I have been trying to participate for a very long time but the plugin just isnt right some body plz tell me what to do about it.
@ 2014-07-28 5:50 AM (#16199 - in reply to #7911) (#16199) Top

swaroop2011




Posts: 668
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Country : India

swaroop2011 posted @ 2014-07-28 5:50 AM

@winash26
i guess you are talking about java flash plugin.
I don't think anything else is required.

You can try in other browsers like chrome, mozilla or opera. Also you can try installing the browser java flash plugin again.


Edited by Administrator : LMI does not use java.
@ 2014-07-28 6:33 AM (#16200 - in reply to #16198) (#16200) Top

Administrator



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Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2014-07-28 6:33 AM

winash26 - 2014-07-28 2:21 AM

I have been trying to participate for a very long time but the plugin just isnt right some body plz tell me what to do about it.
You need adobe flash player ( http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ ) installed on your laptop / desktop. Do you have it? If not, can you have it installed?
@ 2014-07-28 7:17 AM (#16201 - in reply to #16200) (#16201) Top

swaroop2011




Posts: 668
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Country : India

swaroop2011 posted @ 2014-07-28 7:17 AM

Administrator - 2014-07-28 6:33 AM

winash26 - 2014-07-28 2:21 AM

I have been trying to participate for a very long time but the plugin just isnt right some body plz tell me what to do about it.
You need adobe flash player ( http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ ) installed on your laptop / desktop. Do you have it? If not, can you have it installed?


oops sorry my mistake :)
@ 2014-07-29 3:01 PM (#16209 - in reply to #16170) (#16209) Top

lakshmisv



Posts: 24
20
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lakshmisv posted @ 2014-07-29 3:01 PM

Can you please give me tips now on how to solve the 'Arrow' problem?

Thanks
@ 2014-07-29 3:51 PM (#16210 - in reply to #16209) (#16210) Top

lakshmisv



Posts: 24
20
Country : India

lakshmisv posted @ 2014-07-29 3:51 PM

Please ignore this message - I figured it out thanks to a tip from Deb Mohanty
@ 2014-07-29 7:41 PM (#16211 - in reply to #7911) (#16211) Top

vopani



Posts: 739
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vopani posted @ 2014-07-29 7:41 PM

This is the first Beginners Contest I've authored, and it was a sudden plan when Deb and I decided I should conduct one before the WSC-WPC fever sets in.

I hate creating Classics (like many Authors), but since I had no choice, I pushed myself and created 3 Classics (Classic 1, 2, 3) each having a different kind of solve. I think I got tired then and created a simple fourth Classic with the 'triplets' theme :-)

Trio Sudoku: It was my personal favourite. It took me longer to create with a 1~9 diagonal theme than any normal Trio, but I was satisfied with the puzzle. It had a nice solve and I'm sure all of you enjoyed solving this :P

Diagonal Sudoku: I like Diagonal Sudoku with 3 blank rows, it forces solvers to put in those digits using the diagonal. Maybe next time I'll try 4 blank rows!

Extra Region Sudoku: Nothing special here, just a pleasant design to see (I think!) and a simple symmetry of givens. I didn't want too many digits to be filled using Classic rules, and I think that stands true for this puzzle.

Arrow Sudoku: There must be something to test solvers, right? I admit the Arrow was not trivial, it had a tight opening in the bottom-left of the grid, but after that, the solve is very smooth. Lots of players struggled solving this variant and I've posted one (the easiest I could think of) solving path. You can have a look here: http://rohanrao91.blogspot.in/2014/07/beginners-contest-on-lmi.html

I'm glad to see 295 participants, though crossing 300 would've been nice :-|, but thanks a lot for participating and I hope you enjoyed.
Congrats to the top-3 Beginners: sworls (USA), anti-inequality (Turkey) and ViRa (India) and the top-3 Seasoners: Kota (Japan), Timothy (France) and deu (Japan).

Feels nice to finally conduct a Beginners Contest and hope to see many more contests and sudokus in future!
@ 2014-07-29 8:31 PM (#16212 - in reply to #16211) (#16212) Top

Fred76




Posts: 337
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Country : Switzerland

Fred76 posted @ 2014-07-29 8:31 PM

Rohan Rao - 2014-07-29 7:41 PM

Lots of players struggled solving this variant and I've posted one (the easiest I could think of) solving path. You can have a look here: http://rohanrao91.blogspot.in/2014/07/beginners-contest-on-lmi.html


I find your explanation about the 1 in R8C4 quite confusing. I imagine it can be struggling to try to "solve" these 2 arrows independently. If you take care of both arrows together it becomes very easy:
Considering that the maximum of the sum of both cells R9C23 is 4+5=9, then the sum of the three cells R7C45 and R8C4 has to be <9, hence must contain a 1, which can be placed only at R8C4.
There is even no need to write candidates ;)

I liked this sudoku very much, and I remember I explained this "technique" about taking care of several arrows together in a Swiss federation newsletter (...a bit sad that other swiss players taking part didn't solve this sudoku).

See you in London

Fred
@ 2014-07-29 10:13 PM (#16214 - in reply to #16212) (#16214) Top

gaurav.kjain



Posts: 52
2020
Country : India

gaurav.kjain posted @ 2014-07-29 10:13 PM

The way I got it was

R9 C23 could be from 3/4/5 so other than 5 , 3/4 has 1 in their addition combination. which has to in one of the cells even if 5 is one of the cells.
so 1 has to be in one of the 4 cells(R7 C45 and R8 C34), which can only come at R8C4.

Since only single 1 comes in these 4 cells which will also provide other clue, that is R9 C23, one of this should contain 5.


Edited by gaurav.kjain 2014-07-29 10:16 PM
@ 2014-07-29 10:39 PM (#16215 - in reply to #16212) (#16215) Top

vopani



Posts: 739
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vopani posted @ 2014-07-29 10:39 PM

Fred76 - 2014-07-29 8:31 PM

Considering that the maximum of the sum of both cells R9C23 is 4+5=9, then the sum of the three cells R7C45 and R8C4 has to be <9, hence must contain a 1, which can be placed only at R8C4.
There is even no need to write candidates ;)

Yes, this is something even I missed. Thanks!

See you in London

Fred

Yes :-)

gaurav.kjain - 2014-07-29 10:13 PM

The way I got it was

R9 C23 could be from 3/4/5 so other than 5 , 3/4 has 1 in their addition combination. which has to in one of the cells even if 5 is one of the cells.
so 1 has to be in one of the 4 cells(R7 C45 and R8 C34), which can only come at R8C4.

Since only single 1 comes in these 4 cells which will also provide other clue, that is R9 C23, one of this should contain 5.

There are multiple ways of figuring out the bottom-left... but either ways, I think it does take a while to identify the opening, especially when you are solving under time-pressure!
@ 2014-07-30 1:02 PM (#16222 - in reply to #16156) (#16222) Top

mohanprashanth



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Country : India

mohanprashanth posted @ 2014-07-30 1:02 PM

Where can I view my LMI rating points?
@ 2014-07-30 1:33 PM (#16224 - in reply to #16222) (#16224) Top

vopani



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vopani posted @ 2014-07-30 1:33 PM

mohanprashanth - 2014-07-30 1:02 PM

Where can I view my LMI rating points?

Click on your name: http://logicmastersindia.com/forum/view-profile.asp?action=view&uid...
@ 2014-07-30 1:35 PM (#16225 - in reply to #7911) (#16225) Top

mohanprashanth



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mohanprashanth posted @ 2014-07-30 1:35 PM

Thank you
@ 2014-08-09 5:52 PM (#16307 - in reply to #16225) (#16307) Top

alkirthana



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alkirthana posted @ 2014-08-09 5:52 PM

Hi, Can you tell me when is this month's beginner's sudoku contest likely to be published ?
@ 2014-08-10 12:03 AM (#16309 - in reply to #16307) (#16309) Top

prasanna16391



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prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-08-10 12:03 AM

alkirthana - 2014-08-09 5:52 PM

Hi, Can you tell me when is this month's beginner's sudoku contest likely to be published ?


Since we're all headed for the World Championships, there's nothing planned as of now, and won't be for the near future. If something does get planned, it will be announced here. You can always practice the archived ones though.
@ 2014-08-16 1:00 AM (#16348 - in reply to #7911) (#16348) Top

alkirthana



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alkirthana posted @ 2014-08-16 1:00 AM

Thanks and good luck with the World Championship !
@ 2015-02-06 2:46 PM (#17650 - in reply to #7911) (#17650) Top

Yajendra




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Yajendra posted @ 2015-02-06 2:46 PM

Are they held currently or not??
@ 2015-05-18 12:23 PM (#18325 - in reply to #7911) (#18325) Top

sliverbrain



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Country : India

sliverbrain posted @ 2015-05-18 12:23 PM

long time but there no beginners Sudoku test yet.
@ 2015-05-18 3:57 PM (#18326 - in reply to #7911) (#18326) Top

rajeshk




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rajeshk posted @ 2015-05-18 3:57 PM

In fact Sudoku Mahabharat which finished last week was replica of Beginners Sudoku Test with more Classic Puzzles and with Easy Sudoku Variations. May be from the next month onward we can see more tests being conducted at LMI.