Samurai Sudoku
Five overlapping 9×9 grids sharing corner boxes
Samurai Sudoku is fully playable. Choose a difficulty and start solving.
Samurai Sudoku consists of five interlocking 9×9 grids arranged in an X shape — one central grid and four corner grids, all sharing a 3×3 box where they overlap. Each of the five sub-grids must independently satisfy standard Sudoku rules. Solving one sub-grid often provides clues that unlock another. The complete puzzle spans a 21×21 grid.
Like all Sudoku variants, Samurai Sudoku builds on the classic 9×9 foundation. Every row, column, and 3×3 box must contain each digit from 1 to 9 exactly once. The variant constraint is added on top of these standard rules, never replacing them.
If you're new to Sudoku, start by learning the basic rules and techniques before attempting variants.
Techniques Useful for This Variant
| Technique | How it applies |
|---|---|
| Pencil Marks / Notes | Essential for tracking candidates alongside the variant constraint |
| Obvious Singles | Cells narrowed to one candidate by the combined constraints |
| Hidden Singles | Digits with only one valid cell in a unit after variant elimination |
| Pairs and Triples | Locked candidates exposed by the additional constraint |