Tuesday, September 30, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Tuesday, 9/30/2008

Today's daily Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the noun Y LIGAMENT:

Y LIGAMENT
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution in the morning. And tomorrow, being October 1, we'll begin a series of studies of what I've coined "Qudoku" puzzles, combining Word Sudoku puzzles and quips, quotes and various word forms.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's daily Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word XYLONITES, which is the old word for celluoids.
A new daily Word Sudoku puzzle for you in just a bit. And beginning tomorrow, we'll break from the usual daily Word Sudoku puzzles to present you an in-depth series of "Qudoku" puzzles, combining Word Sudoku puzzles with quotes.

Thanks,
--Dave

Monday, September 29, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Monday, 9/29/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Monday, 9/29/2008

Today's daily Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the (strange!) word XYLONITES:

XYLONITES
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Sunday Challenge was based on the letters in the anagram MRS TEN POLICY:
A new Word Sudoku puzzle, of the normal 9x9 variety, coming your way in a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Sunday, 9/28/2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Sunday, 9/28/2008


Today's 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle--aka the Sunday Challenge--is based on the letters in the anagram MRS TEN POLICY. Good luck!


MRS TEN POLICY
Sunday Challenge
12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x4 rectangle contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal


Solution first thing in the morning. And don't forget--beginning Wednesday, October 1, I'm presenting more than a weeks' worth of "Qudoku" puzzles in all sorts of Sudoku grid sizes; A Qudoku puzzle is a combination of Sudoku and a quote, where the Sudoku solution feeds letters to the quote. I think you'll like the variety and challenge it will provide you!


Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Saturday's Diagonal Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Saturday's Diagonal Word Sudoku Puzzle

The Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the phrase ISLE OF MAN:
Your Sunday Challenge in a bit.

Thanks,
--Dave

Saturday, September 27, 2008

New Diagonal Word Sudoku Puzzle for Saturday, 9/27/2008

New Diagonal Word Sudoku Puzzle for Saturday, 9/27/2008

Your every-other-Saturday Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the phrase ISLE OF MAN:

ISLE OF MAN
Diagonal 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each diagonal, row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution in the morning. And then later tomorrow, the Sunday Challenge.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word VULCANIZE:
The every-other-Saturday Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle coming right up.

And next Wednesday, October 1, we'll depart from our usual daily Classic Word Sudoku puzzle for a few days to bring you more than a week's-worth of "Qudoku" puzzles, where you first solve a Word Sudoku puzzle of varying grid size, and then use some of the letters to feed a quote. I've presented a few Qudoku examples here in earlier blog entries, but they were usually of Sudoku grid size 16x16, which are very difficult. In October, I'll show you how the grid size can be made manageable, and I'll demonstrate the wide variety of quips, quotes and word forms that can fit into the puzzle form. That's beginning next month.

Thanks,
--Dave

Friday, September 26, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Friday, 9/26/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Friday, 9/26/2008


Well, the week is almost over! Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is pretty easy; it's based on the word VULCANIZE:


VULCANIZE
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once


Solution in the morning, followed by the Saturday Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle and then Sunday with the 12x12 Sunday Challenge.


Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

The first puzzle, the daily Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle, was based on the word CHORDATES:
The probably more challenging puzzle was the 10x10 Hidden Word puzzle based on the letters in the anagram HEINOUS TAX:
This was harder, but it was also fun, wasn't it? Different-sized Sudoku puzzle grids add a bit of spice--don't they? What do you think? Please let me know.
A new puzzle for you in a few hours. Tomorrow's entry will be a Diagonal Word Sudoku, so please "come on back!"

Thanks,
--Dave

Thursday, September 25, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Thursday, 9/25/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Thursday, 9/25/2008


Two puzzles for you today!


The first is the standard daily offering: a 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle based on the word CHORDATES:


CHORDATES
9x9 Classic Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once


After you've polished off that easy one, here's another that may be a bit larger bite. It's a 10x10 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle. Given the letters in the anagram HEINOUS TAX, solve the Sudoku puzzle, spelling the hidden word or phrase down the diagonal.


HEINOUS TAX
10x10 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 2x5 rectangle contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal


Solutions in the morning, as usual. We're getting close to the weekend; Stop by Saturday for a Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle, and Sunday, of course, I'll throw you my customary Sunday Challenge--a 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle.


And next week, beginning October 1, we'll take a week-long (or so) departure from the usual daily Classic Word Sudoku puzzle, and present a series of "Qudoku" puzzles--my term for Sudokus whose solutions feed letters into a quote. Sort of a poor man's cryptogram, since you don't have to have any 'cryptogrammatical' skills to discover the quote--only Sudoku skills. You've seen a few already in this blog, but I'll put them in perspective--and provide you quite a number of hopefully fun and moderately challenging puzzles in the process!


Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Wednesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Wednesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word BIMONTHLY:

Two puzzles in just a bit, the second one a bit harder than the first!

Thanks,
--Dave

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Wednesday, 9/24/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Wednesday, 9/24/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word BIMONTHLY:
BIMONTHLY
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution first thing tomorrow. And later tomorrow, two puzzles for you--the second a 10x10 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle with internal 2x5 rectangles.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Tuesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Tuesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the words FAR SOUGHT:
A new puzzle in a few hours. And one week from today is the first of October. I'll be taking a different puzzle tack for the first week or so of the new month, so please make sure you visit then!

Thanks,
--Dave

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Tuesday, 9/23/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Tuesday, 9/23/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the words FAR SOUGHT:

FAR SOUGHT
9x9 Classic Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word PYROGENIC:
A new puzzle for you in a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Monday, September 22, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Monday, 9/22/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Monday, 9/22/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word PYROGENIC:

PYROGENIC
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution first thing Tuesday morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Sunday Challenge, a 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle, was based on the letters in the anagram IT COMPEL RUSH:
A new puzzle in just a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Sunday, 9/21/2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Sunday, 9/21/2008

Today's Sunday Challenge, a 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle, is based on the letters in the anagram IT COMPEL RUSH:

IT COMPEL RUSH
Sunday Challenge: 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x4 rectangle contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

Solution first thing in the morning! Please don't hesitate to comment--what do you think of these 12x12 puzzles? Too hard? OK? Too easy? I'd love to hear your opinion.

Thanks,
--Dave
Solution to Saturday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Classic Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word WOLF'S BANE:

The Sunday Challenge coming your way in a few hours!

Thanks,
--Dave

Saturday, September 20, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Saturday, 9/20/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Saturday, 9/20/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the words WOLF'S BANE-just leave out the apostrophe!

WOLF’S BANE
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution first thing tomorrow morning. And then a bit later tomorrow, the usual Sunday Challenge!

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word EMBRACING:
A new puzzle for you in a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Friday, September 19, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Friday, 9/19/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Friday, 9/19/2008

Today's Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word EMBRACING:

EMBRACING
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution first thing Saturday morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

The first of yesterday's two puzzles, the 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle, was based on the word QUANTIZED:
The second puzzle, a 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle, was based on the letters in the anagram ALSO DEMUR:
A new puzzle for you this Friday, in just a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Thursday, September 18, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Thursday, 9/18/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Thursday, 9/18/2008

Two puzzles for you today. The first, the normal 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle, is based on the word QUANTIZED.
QUANTIZED
9x9 Classic Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

The second puzzle is a Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle based on the letters in the anagram ALSO DEMUR; the hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal.

ALSO DEMUR
Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

Solutions in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Wednesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Wednesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the words BLIND COPY:
Two new puzzles in a few hours, the second a Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle.

Thanks,
Dave

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Wednesday, 9/17/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Wednesday, 9/17/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the words BLIND COPY:

BLIND COPY
Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution tomorrow morning, bright and early!

Thanks,
--Dave

Solution to Tuesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Solution to Tuesday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

Yesterday's Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word INFERABLY:
A new puzzle for your solving pleasure in a few hours.

Thanks,
--Dave

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Tuesday, 9/16/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Tuesday, 9/16/2008

Today's Classic 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word INFERABLY:

INFERABLY
Classic Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Solution first thing in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Monday's Word Sudoku Puzzles



Yesterday's Classic Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the words KID GLOVES:



The second puzzle yesterday was the fifth of five I've presented in answer to a recent NPR Sunday Puzzle poser: Find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, where the vowels occupy the odd-numbered letter positions. The hidden word's anagram you had to work with was INSURE A OK:

A new puzzle coming your way in a bit.


Thanks,
--Dave

Monday, September 15, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Monday, 9/15/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Monday, 9/15/2008

Today's 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the words KID GLOVES:

KID GLOVES
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

And, finishing up our through-the-weekend AEIOU Sudoku puzzle theme, here's the final puzzle I'll present as a possible solution to NPR Puzzle Master and New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz' poser on a recent NPR Sunday Puzzle feature: Find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, where the vowels occupy the odd-numbered letter positions. The hidden word runs down the diagonal; the anagram you get to work with is INSURE A OK. It is no clue whatsoever to the hidden word! It's just an anagram.

INSURE A OK
AEIOU (Odd) Sudoku: 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the anagram exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal and contains all 5 vowels (a, e, i, o and u, in some order)
In addition, the odd-numbered positions of the hidden word or phrase are vowels

Solutions in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to the Sunday Challenge Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzles


Yesterday's 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the letters in the anagram MATRIX BODE US:



And the bonus puzzle, an AEIOU Sudoku puzzle, was based on the letters in the anagram ORE UNTIL A:
A uranolite is a meteor, by the way.


A new puzzle in just a bit. Please be sure to come back: Later this week, I'll give you a bonus 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle. They're easier than the 12x12's!


Thanks,
--Dave

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Sunday, 9/14/2008

Sunday Challenge: New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Sunday, 9/14/2008

Today's Sunday Challenge is based on the letters in the anagram MATRIX BODE US. Solve the 12x12 Word Sudoku puzzle and spell out the hidden word or phrase down the diagonal.

MATRIX BODE US

Sunday Challenge: 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x4 rectangle contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal
PLUS another Word puzzle for you today, a type I call an AEIOU Sudoku. A few Sundays ago, NPR's Sunday Puzzle feature posed a fun one: Find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, where the vowels occupy the odd-numbered letter positions. The past few days I've presented you Hidden Word Sudoku puzzles demonstrating some of the 10 possible answers I found. Today's extra puzzle is the fourth of the five I'll present you. It's based on the letters in the anagram ORE UNTIL A. (Look back in the previous days' blogs for the other AEIOU Sudoku puzzles!)

ORE UNTIL A
AEIOU (Odd) Sudoku: 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the anagram exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal and contains all 5 vowels (a, e, i, o and u, in some order)
In addition, the odd-numbered letter positions of the hidden word or phrase are vowels

Solution first thing in the morning. Good luck!

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Saturday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Saturday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

The 9x9 Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle was based on the word NEPHROTIC:

The second AEIOU (odd) Sudoku puzzle was based on the letters in the anagram IN AUTOS BE:

The Sunday Challenge coming your way soon!

Thanks,
--Dave

Saturday, September 13, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Saturday, 9/13/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Saturday, 9/13/2008

Today's 9x9 Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word NEPHROTIC, which, anywhere else, might be a bit creepy...but not here!

NEPHROTIC
Each diagonal, row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

And, continuing our theme this week of AEIOU Sudoku puzzles, here's another puzzle with one of the two most common words fans of NPR's Sunday Puzzle turned in as answers to NPR Puzzle Master and New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz' wonderful poser: Find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, where the vowels occupy the odd-numbered letter positions.

IN AUTOS BE
AEIOU (Odd) Sudoku: 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the anagram exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal and contains all 5 vowels (a, e, i, o and u, in some order)
In addition, the odd-numbered letter positions of the hidden word or phrase are vowels

Solutions first thing in the morning.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzles


The first puzzle was based on the word YARMULKES:



The second AEIOU Sudoku puzzle was based on the letters in the anagram I CLEAN OUT--this was one of the two most common words fans of NPR's Sunday Puzzle turned in recently, in response to NPR Puzzle Master Will Shortz' poser: find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, with the vowels occupying the odd-numbered letter positions.


A Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle and another AEIOU (odd) Sudoku puzzle coming your way in a bit!


Thanks,
--Dave

Friday, September 12, 2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Friday, 9/12/2008

New Word Sudoku Puzzles for Friday, 9/12/2008

Today's 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle is based on the word YARMULKES:

YARMULKES
9x9 Classic Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the word or phrase exactly once

Your second puzzle today continues the AEIOU theme I began yesterday, where I'm presenting puzzles that answer a puzzler posed by NPR Puzzle Master and New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz: find a nine-distinct-letter word using all five vowels, where the vowels are in the odd-numbered letter positions (so the word is in the form VCVCVCVCV, where V=vowel and C=consonant).

Yesterday I presented you the first of the 10 possible solutions I found. I will probably present you the five or so most common words as puzzles; the remainder are, if not downright arcane, at least unusual or quite specific to a scientific domain. Here's the next one.

I CLEAN OUT
AEIOU (Odd) Sudoku: 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column and 3x3 square contain the letters in the anagram exactly once
The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal and contains all 5 vowels (a, e, i, o and u, in some order)
In addition, the odd-numbered letter positions of the hidden word or phrase are vowels


Solutions first thing in the morning. Later Saturday, I'll present a Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle. And of course, on Sunday, I'll present you with a tougher Sunday Challenge, a 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle.

Thanks,
--Dave

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles

Solutions to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzles


Yesterday's first puzzle, the normal 9x9 Classic, was based on the words RIOT SQUAD:




The second Word Sudoku puzzle I presented you yesterday was one of my AEIOU Sudoku puzzles, where the hidden word uses all five vowels; I also added the caveat that the vowels were in the odd-numbered letter positions. The anagram of the hidden word was SO MAIN CUE.


Two new puzzles for you in a few hours.


Thanks,
--Dave