🧩 How to Play Sudoku

The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9x9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 subgrids contain all of the digits from 1 to 9 without repetition.

📜 Game Rules

• The game starts with a partially filled grid.
• Each row must contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repeating any number.
• Each column must also contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repetition.
• Each of the nine 3x3 subgrids must contain all digits from 1 to 9 without repeating any number.
• The puzzle is solved when the entire grid is filled correctly.

🎯 Rewards & Scoring System

When you complete a Sudoku puzzle, you’re not only sharpening your mind—you’re also earning AURA points based on your performance!

• Time Penalty: The faster you complete the puzzle, the better. For each minute you take, 100 AURA is deducted.
• Life Bonus: You start with a few lives. For each life you have left when completing the puzzle, you earn a bonus of 100 AURA.
• Minimum Guaranteed Reward: No matter what, you’ll always receive at least 500 AURA for completing a puzzle.
• Total AURA Formula:

  (Base Score - Time Penalty) + Life Bonus = Final AURA

  Example: If you finish in 12 minutes with 3 lives left:
  (1700 - 1200) + 300 = 800 AURA

So, the quicker and smarter you play, the more AURA you earn. Challenge yourself and climb the leaderboard!

🔍 Solving Strategies

• Scan for Singles: Look for cells where only one number can fit.
• Use Elimination: Eliminate possibilities by checking rows, columns, and subgrids.
• Look for Hidden Pairs/Triples: Identify groups of numbers that can only fit in specific cells.
• Advanced Techniques: Use methods like `X-Wing` or `Swordfish` for harder puzzles.

ℹ️ Fun Facts About Sudoku

• Sudoku originated in the 18th century! It was first published in Switzerland by mathematician Leonhard Euler, who called it `Latin Squares.`
• The modern version of Sudoku was popularized in Japan in the 1980s and became a global phenomenon in the 2000s.
• Sudoku puzzles are classified by difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert. The difficulty depends on the number of starting clues and the complexity of the solving techniques required.
• The smallest number of starting clues possible in a valid Sudoku puzzle is 17. Puzzles with fewer clues do not have a unique solution.
• Sudoku is not just a game—it’s a great way to improve logical thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills.