Sudoku Hard Level Puzzles

Meant for long-time players, The Indian Express' hard-level sudoku takes between 10 to 15 minutes to solve. If you have a morning commute, nightly ritual or short break where you'd like to unplug from the real world, this sudoku is the perfect place to unwind and focus your energies.

What makes a sudoku puzzle hard? For starters, there are a very low number of opening digits for you to use, compared to the abundance in easy-level puzzles. Secondly, they're placed in tricky positions. Thirdly, you'll need to use various classic techniques (either learned or instinctual) to finish these grids. Not sure what these tricks are? Try our solving guide.

Hard sudoku is usually solved by adults, but with enough practice, they can also be solved by teens and children who enjoy pattern recognition. Modern sudoku as we know it today was created in Japan, and is a universal logic game requiring no external knowledge. In theory, this makes the game suitable for all ages and environments.

Playing expert-level puzzles like hard sudoku is also known to boost concentration and help fight the cognitive decline that comes with old age. To help you stay on track, every daily sudoku on indianexpress.com is equipped with options like 'Reveal' (for hints) and 'Check' (for errors). Use these tools liberally, and watch your solving skills grow!