Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Word Sudoku (Qudoku!) Puzzle for Sunday, 1/3/2010

On the first Sunday of the month all year long, I’ll highlight a cause or celebration that encompasses the entire month. January is National Hot Tea month! A month my college-student daughter celebrates year-round.

Recent research findings have reported that drinking black tea may improve the body’s defenses and quicken the response to bacteria and viruses…a reason to brew yourself a hot cup of tea this month in celebration of National Hot Tea Month. A study published in 2003 suggested tea drinkers may have a better chance of fighting off an infection than non-tea drinkers because of this increased immune response, though further research will be needed to confirm their predictions.

Here are a few recent findings about the potential health benefits of tea:

  • consuming 30 oz. of black tea daily – the fluid equivalent of 2.5 cans of soda – reduced Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels by more than 10 percent.

  • Those who drank four cups of tea per day had significantly lower risk of death following a heart attack

  • the incidence of heart attack decreased in participants who drank more than three cups of black tea per day


MONTHS
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

PUBLIC
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

FRAYED
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote



SWANKY
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

CURVED
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

PLIGHT
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote




COUPLE
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

FIESTA
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote

Solutions tomorrow morning. I also want to tell you about some of the fun things I have planned for you on this blog in 2010.

  • Almost every weekday, I’ll supply you a new 9x9 Classic Word Sudoku puzzle. Classic, because it’s normal size (9x9), no frills. But still fun and a bit of a challenge!

  • A few times a month, I’ll throw a Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle or a Diagonal Word Sudoku puzzle at you, to keep it fresh.

  • Almost every Saturday this entire year, I’ll continue with my series of Tom Swifty Word Sudoku puzzle-puns in the form of a Qudoku puzzle set—they’ll make you groan out loud as you solve the Word Sudoku puzzles and uncover the silly adverbial phrase or pun-ishing play on words.

  • Most Sundays, I’ll continue to challenge you with a 12x12 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzle—what I call, naturally enough, the Sunday Challenge. Tough, but doable!

  • And then there are the theme series of puzzles I’ve sprinkled throughout the year.

    • For instance, in the first half of February, I’ll introduce you to a new kind of Qudoku puzzle set—a KeyWord Sudoku puzzle where, after you solve the Word Sudoku puzzles and fill in the letters in a quote grid full of common sayings, you then have to GUESS the keyword contained in each saying—but conveniently left out of the sayings in the quote.

    • And in the second half of February, I’ll explore with you the meaning of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac—using Qudoku puzzle sets, of course!

    • And, later this year, in August—month #8—EVERY Word Sudoku puzzle for each day that month uses an 8x8 grid, with 2x4 internal rectangles.
    Here’s hoping you’ll stick with me for 2010. Please comment on puzzles you love or hate; ones you think are too easy or too hard; ones you found very interesting or just plain flat.

    And please remind your word puzzle-loving friends to follow this blog!

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    (All puzzles and text contained in this blog are copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, David H. Thompson. All rights reserved. You have my permission to print single copies for your individual solving pleasure, but you may not collect or further distribute these puzzles in any way without my explicit written permission. Please contact me through this blog's comment feature. And please tell your puzzle-loving friends to follow this blog. Thank you!)

    Solution to 1/2/2010 State Sudoku (Capitals)

    Yesterday’s State Sudoku puzzle asked you to name the state and its capital, given a 9x9 Word Sudoku puzzle and this clue:

    This state entered the union on January 2, 1788, the 4th state.

    The answers: Atlanta, Georgia

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Solutions to the Saturday Swifty Word Sudoku Puzzles

    Yesterday’s Qudoku puzzle set spelled out an adverbial pun known as a Tom Swifty. This one shows Tom needs to work on his dexterity.

    Three Qudoku puzzle sets with a total of eight Word Sudoku puzzles coming your way in just a few hours, celebrating a calming substance that will help you do them all!

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Saturday, January 2, 2010

    Celebrating United States History: State Sudoku (Capitals)

    This state entered the union on January 2, 1788, the 4th state.

    GREAT LION
    9x9 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 3x3 square and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
    Copy the numbered letters into the corresponding cells of the quote grid to unveil the state capital (on the first line) and the state name (on the last)

    Solutions tomorrow morning.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    (Word Sudoku puzzles and text ©2010, David H. Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Please contact author through the blog for usage permission.)

    New Word Sudoku (Swifty Sudoku!) Puzzles for Saturday 1/2/2010

    I sat down on a thumbtack,” said Tom sharply.
    A Tom Swifty is an adverbial pun that simultaneously describes a speaker and refers to the speaker's statement. The name comes from the Tom Swift book series for young readers. The authors were roundly criticized for overusing adverbs and descriptive phrases, so that Tom hardly ever said "said" and rarely said anything without a qualifying adverb. A Tom Swifty pun is a parody of this style.

    PYRAMIDS
    Swifty Sudoku: 8x8 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x4 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the words exactly once

    JOHN LEFT
    8x8 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x4 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
    Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the Tom Swifty

    Solutions first thing in the morning.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Solution to Yesterday's Extra (Anagram-Hidden!) Word Sudoku Puzzles

    Yesterday’s four Hidden Word Sudoku puzzles were all based on the same anagram, SIR MAGNET, but each spelled a different 9-letter word!

    A new puzzle in a bit.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Solution to Friday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

    Yesterday’s Qudoku puzzle sets commemorated New Year’s Day, 2010.







    A new puzzle in a bit.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Friday, January 1, 2010

    Extra (Anagram-Hidden!) Word Sudoku Puzzles for Friday, 1/1/2010

    On the first of the month all year long I’ll throw an unusual sequence of Hidden Word Sudoku puzzles at you: Ones that at first blush may look all the same! Suffice to say: they’re not. When you solve them you’ll see why. I think you’ll be amazed at the remarkable richness of the English language.

    All four of today’s different 9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku puzzles are based on the same anagram, SIR MAGNET.

    SIR MAGNET
    9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column and 3x3 square contains the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
    The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

    SIR MAGNET
    9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column and 3x3 square contains the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
    The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

    SIR MAGNET
    9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column and 3x3 square contains the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
    The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

    SIR MAGNET
    9x9 Hidden Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column and 3x3 square contains the letters in the word or phrase exactly once
    The hidden word or phrase is spelled down the diagonal

    Solutions tomorrow morning.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    New Word Sudoku Puzzle for Friday, 1/1/2010

    Happy New Year! 2010 will be better than 2009. I’m sure of it.

    SMITHY
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

    WARNED
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
    Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote

    GRAPHS
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

    BOUNCY
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

    WILTED
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
    Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote

    BATHED
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

    SCURVY
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once

    INFLOW
    6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
    Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
    Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the quote

    Solutions tomorrow morning.

    Thanks,
    --Dave

    Solution to Thursday's Word Sudoku Puzzle

    Yesterday’s Qudoku puzzle sets marked New Year’s Eve.

    A new puzzle in a bit. Happy New Year!

    Thanks,
    --Dave