Expert Greater Than Sudoku
The ultimate test. Expert Greater Than Sudoku puzzles push the variant constraint to its limit, requiring flawless logic and the most advanced solving techniques. Only the sharpest minds complete these.
What to expect at Expert level
Expert Greater Than Sudoku puzzles are constructed to be as difficult as possible while remaining logically unique. Every cell placement flows from precise reasoning - Guessing never helps. The constraint creates complex cross-cell dependencies that demand full concentration.
Designed for solvers who have mastered Hard and are looking for the definitive Greater Than Sudoku experience.
Difficulty overview
About Greater Than / Less Than Sudoku
Greater Than Sudoku (also called Futoshiki-style Sudoku) places < and > inequality signs between adjacent cells. The sign indicates which of the two cells must hold the larger value. Some variants replace all given digits with inequality signs; others provide a hybrid. The constraints create chains of reasoning: if A > B > C > D, then A ≥ 4, B ≥ 3, C ≥ 2, D ≥ 1.
Solving Techniques for Expert Level
| Technique | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Inequality — Minimums | Link inequalities in a chain: if A > B > C, then A ≥ 3, B ≥ 2, C ≥ 1. Use these minimums to prune candidates immediately. | Beginner |
| Chain Inequality — Maximums | In the chain A > B > C > D, also bound from above: A ≤ 9, B ≤ 8, C ≤ 7, D ≤ 6. | Beginner |
| Inequality Propagation | After placing a digit, check all inequality arrows from that cell and eliminate impossible values from its neighbours. | Intermediate |
| Forced Single via Range | When an inequality chain reduces a cell's valid range to a single digit, place it directly. | Intermediate |