| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
skmoejoe
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 4
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:39 pm Post subject: Just curious |
 |
|
| I have been able to solve even the very hard puzzles by simply identifying all possible candidates and then eliminating values that are not probable by identifying singles, doubles triples. Only occassionally do I get stumped and must use the x-wing technique. Are these other techniques useful for solving the puzzle faster? I usually spend around 30-45 minutes on a very hard puzzle and 20-25 minutes on the hard ones. I don't go looking for the other patterns unless I get stuck. I seek out the hardest and most evil 9x9 puzzles I can find. Just curious, that's all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Marty R.
Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 5770
Location: Rochester, NY, USA
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you can solve the hardest puzzles with singles, doubles, triples and an occasional X-Wing, then you've earned a tip of the hat. I can't do that.
The hardest puzzles usually require more techniques for me to solve them. These don't help solve them faster, they actually slow things down because they must be searched for.
But we all see things differently. One person might need a technique that another one doesn't because of the differences in the way we visualize things.
I am dependent on block interactions, strong links, rectangles, coloring and forcing chains when the basic techniques of singles, doubles, etc. don't get the job done. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TKiel
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 292
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Skmoejoe wrote: | | Are these other techniques useful for solving the puzzle faster? |
It sort of depends on whether you are referring to a puzzle that is 'very hard' or to a puzzle that has been rated 'very hard' by a particular person/program. Puzzle ratings differ widely in what each is called and in what techniques may be 'required' to solve them. Each puzzle setter has their own scale (very easy, easy, medium, hard, very hard vs. easy, hard, very hard, super hard, super-duper hard). Puzzle ratings can only tell you how hard a puzzle is in relationship to how hard other puzzles by the same setter are. It is my understanding that until very recently the puzzles listed as 'very hard' on this site could be solved with nothing more complex than triples. Lately x-wing has been added to the stew.
In some circles, the techniques required to solve a 'very hard' on this site are considered basic and no puzzle that limited itself to them would be considered 'hard' much less 'very hard'. Much of it depends on ones solving ability (knowledge of techniques and ability to use those techniques) and the puzzles to which one is exposed. If you limit yourself to puzzles on this site and ones in (most) newspapers, then you've learned all you need to know. But, if you do a bit of exploring, you'll undoubtedly find puzzles that you'll barely dent with those techniques, so "these other techniques" become necessary, not just to do them faster, but to do them at all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
