TECHNIQUES FOR SOLVING KENDOKU PUZZLES

The technique for solving a KENDOKU puzzle is quite similar to that used for SUDOKU puzzles. In particlar, it is recommended that "pencil mark" numbers be entered into the cells of the puzzle to show the numbers which might potentially be the final number for each cell. The solving strategies are then applied to gradually remove these "pencil marks" until there is only one left. This last remaining number in any cell becomes the solution number for that cell.

When specific cells need to be referred to in this discussion, they will be designated as C4-R3 which means the 4th cell in row 3.

For a description of KENDOKU puzzles, refer to  Building Kendoku Puzzles 

Hint digit removal.

   
Firstly, the maximum amount of information must be extracted from the "hint" information associated with each domain within the puzzle. As an example, consider the cells C1-R1 and C2-R1. These two cells represent a domain in which the two numbers give a result of 4 when they are multiplied together. Since the possibility of two 2s is against the rules of KENDOKU, we can only have 1 and 4. The other three numbers can be removed from each cell. This process must be repeated for each domain within the puzzle.

The right hand graphic above shows the situation after all of the hints have been processed in this way.

Subsequent Strategies.

From this point on, most of the solution strategies described for SUDOKU Puzzles are applicable, and should be studied if you are not familiar with them. As the solution proceeds, and more and more cells are finalised, you will normally need to return to the domain hints to extract further information which becomes available as the number of pencil marks within the puzzle diminishes.

Astute solvers may find other, more obscure strategies which they can apply. However, the strategies listed here are guaranteed to solve any KENDOKU puzzle created by Magnum Opus.