Shape Sudoku
Read the puzzle
A 6 by 6 grid is split into six boxes of 2 rows by 3 columns. Every row, column and box must hold each of six shapes once: circle, square, triangle, star, diamond, hexagon. Given cells by row (column number): row 1: circle 2, diamond 4, square 6; row 2: hexagon 4, triangle 6; row 3: ? at 1, star 4, square 5; row 4: star 1, hexagon 2; row 5: triangle 3, hexagon 5; row 6: square 2, circle 6. Which shape fits the ? cell?
Which of the six shapes fits the ? cell?
Start with the box that has the most shapes.
DIAMOND
Solve the whole grid: only a diamond fits there.
How to solve it
Step one: narrow the ? cell (row 3, column 1). Row 3 already has a star and a square, and column 1 has a star, while its box (rows 3 and 4, columns 1 to 3) holds a star and a hexagon. That leaves circle, triangle or diamond.
Step two: place the triangle in the top-left box (rows 1 and 2, columns 1 to 3). Row 2 already has a triangle in column 6, so it must go in row 1. Column 3 already has a triangle in row 5, and column 2 is taken by the circle, so the triangle sits in row 1, column 1. Column 1 now has a triangle, so the ? cannot be one.
Step three: place the circle in the bottom-left box (rows 5 and 6, columns 1 to 3). Row 6 already has a circle in column 6, so it goes in row 5. Column 2 already has a circle and column 3 holds the triangle, so the circle lands in row 5, column 1. Column 1 now has a circle too.
Only the diamond is left for the ? cell. The usual slip is stopping at step one and guessing circle or triangle; neither survives the column check.
Learn the method: How to Solve Latin Square Puzzles: Two Moves and a Worked Grid
