Easy XV Sudoku
New to XV Sudoku? Easy puzzles are designed to teach the core constraint with minimal complexity. Each puzzle uses simpler configurations so you can focus on understanding the rule before anything else.
What to expect at Easy level
Easy XV Sudoku puzzles are calibrated so the variant constraint alone is often enough to reveal cells directly. You'll rarely need to look beyond a single unit at a time. Mistakes are easy to catch because the constraint violations are obvious.
Recommended for players who have never tried XV Sudoku before, or those who prefer a relaxed, confidence-building experience.
Difficulty overview
About XV Sudoku
XV Sudoku (also called Ten-Five Sudoku) places X and V markers between adjacent cells. An X means the two cells sum to 10; a V means they sum to 5. Many XV puzzles use the negative constraint: the absence of a marker guarantees the pair neither sums to 10 nor to 5. Combined with standard Sudoku, this provides very tight constraints across the grid.
Solving Techniques for Easy Level
| Technique | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Negative Constraint | Where no X or V appears between adjacent cells, their sum is neither 10 nor 5. This eliminates (1,9), (2,8), (3,7), (4,6) for X and (1,4), (2,3) for V. | Beginner |
| Sum Pair Enumeration | List all digit pairs that sum to 10 (for X) or 5 (for V), then use row/column placement to identify which pair must occupy each marked pair. | Beginner |
Ready to go deeper? Try Medium Killer Sudoku to unlock Intermediate techniques.