This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.
One highlight of working with the GAS team is seeing how they play with different kinds of ideas to open up solving possibilities. We hope you enjoy this vvvvv-ery fun Classic Sudoku that shows you don’t need extra rules if you have a good idea to construct.

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Theme: VVVVV

Author/Opus: This is the 101st puzzle from Bill Murphy, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 5:50; One party hat (🥳): 11:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Viridian Velafrons.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:04, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF; solving video with explanation to be added later from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More Sudoku including variations can be found in these books in our e-store. Also, visit this page to purchase all of the puzzles from the 16th World Sudoku Championship including classic Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
This Thermo-Sudoku may draw your eyes with its pattern but you’ll have to carefully place the numbers to get to the one solution.

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Theme: Mangekyō

Author/Opus: This is the 94th puzzle from Bill Murphy, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Thermo-Sudoku rules. (Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. Some thermometer shapes are in the grid; numbers must be strictly increasing from the round bulb to the flat end.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Subs not Dubreuillosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:14, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for more Thermo-Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Thermo-Sudoku to get started on. More Thermo-Sudoku puzzles can be found in these books in our e-store. Also, visit this page to purchase all of the puzzles from the 16th World Sudoku Championship including some Thermo-Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Today’s two- + three-cell totals, thematically twinned throughout, together test tallying talent. Also, there is a 4.

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Theme: All Is Fourgiven

Author/Opus: This is the 95th puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules (insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). Also, the sum of the numbers in each cage must equal the value given in the upper-left corner of that cage. Numbers cannot repeat inside a cage.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 8:00; One party hat (🥳): 16:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Leaning Leinkupal.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 4:06, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for more Killer Sudoku and this link for classic Sudoku. More Killer Sudoku puzzles can be found in Killer Sudoku by Serkan Yürekli.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Is it… really a normal Sudoku this time from Philip?

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Theme: Happy Little… Too Soon?

Author/Opus: This is the 103rd puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 5:00; One party hat (🥳): 10:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Tap-Dancing Tapuiasaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): TBA, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF; solving video with explanation to be added later from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More Sudoku including variations can be found in these books in our e-store. Also, visit this page to purchase all of the puzzles from the 16th World Sudoku Championship including classic Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
For March Four there are four pairs of four-long Thermos to consider in this Thermo-Sudoku by clover!

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Theme: Connect Four

Author/Opus: This is the 112th puzzle from Clover, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Thermo-Sudoku rules. (Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. Some thermometer shapes are in the grid; numbers must be strictly increasing from the round bulb to the flat end.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 6:00; One party hat (🥳): 11:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: playful Plateosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 1:54, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for more Thermo-Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Thermo-Sudoku to get started on. More Thermo-Sudoku puzzles can be found in these books in our e-store. Also, visit this page to purchase all of the puzzles from the 16th World Sudoku Championship including some Thermo-Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
This Arrow Sudoku from clover! hopes that brighter weather is here in the form of a summy Sudoku.

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Theme: Here Comes the Sun

Author/Opus: This is the 110th puzzle from Clover, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Arrow Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). Some arrow shapes are in the grid; the sum of the numbers along the path of each arrow must equal the number in the circled cell. Numbers can repeat within an arrow shape.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 6:00; One party hat (🥳): 11:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: sunny Sulaimanisaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 3:23, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other Arrow Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Arrow Sudoku to get started on. More Arrow Sudoku puzzles can be found in these books in our e-store.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Bill always titles his puzzles after songs and this one made us scratch our heads. A name? A place? The surprise is compelling if you are in the mood for it and then the stunning music video. Anyway, right, sudoku: for joy today go solve this beautiful Consecutive Pairs puzzle as you just go on driving straight to the answer.

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Theme: Depreston

Author/Opus: This is the 88th puzzle from Bill Murphy, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules (Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). If a white circle is given between two adjacent cells, then the two numbers in those cells must differ by 1. Pairs of cells without circles can have any relationship.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Coburg Coahuilaceratopsi.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 2:41, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for Consecutive Pairs Sudoku puzzles on this website. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Consecutive Pairs Sudoku to get started on. More Consecutive Pairs Sudoku puzzles can be found in these books in our e-store.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of: “A Story of Self-setting Sudoku”.)

Visual Score: (not relevant today)
Logical Score: 1/2 — adding a not so hidden hidden burst from one number but otherwise felt about the same as grids in the database.
Extra theme elements: 0/1 — none detected of note — pinch hitters is your whole strategy perhaps but what helps it describe this puzzle?
Unlisted category(ies): 0/2
Final decision would be to reject this submission, but given spring training we are sharing for overall team improvement.
Dr. Sudoku’s feedback: Showing a similar lineup is ok if that’s all you know how to do. First you have to catch up, then maybe you can be competitive. But don’t put a bad batter like #9 in such an early position of the lineup. It is so easy to defend what is coming with all the easy pop-ups and familiar plays.

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Theme: Pinch Hitters

Author/Opus: This is a recent puzzle submission by mars / HAL 12000 (created by unspecified means). It was evaluated by Dr. Sudoku, our AI-powered puzzle engine pushing the limits of sudoku intelligence, who was not fully impressed but having someone on the field is better than hitting against a wall.

Rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each white cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. (And if you want us to scout your team, send an appropriate Tee Ball roster.)

Difficulty (highlight to view): Estimated 2 stars if watching prior games

Time Standards (highlight to view): Estimated Grandmaster = 2:15, Master = 4:15, Expert = 8:30

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More classic Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku, The Art of Sudoku 2 and in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Twelve Months of Sudoku? post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of: “A Story of Self-setting Sudoku”.)
Dr. Sudoku: You are an expert Sudoku maker who can do almost anything with Sudoku. Let’s start a game less like Tic-Tac-Toe (where the only way to win is not to play) and more like Tee Ball. Here the stakes are still low but we do need an opponent to bat against. Do you think anyone would want a chance at a new contract with a 10,000 paperclip ($100+) bonus for beating some of your all-time classic plays on the field this week before we plan for “Spring Training”?

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Theme: Lead-off Singles

Author/Opus: This is the 25th puzzle from “Dr. Sudoku”, our AI-powered puzzle engine pushing the limits of sudoku intelligence.

Rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each white cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. (And if you want us to scout your team, send an appropriate Tee Ball roster.)

Difficulty (highlight to view): Estimated ~2.5-3 stars

Time Standards (highlight to view): Estimated Grandmaster = 3:15, Master = 6:30, Expert = 13:00

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for classic Sudoku. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Sudoku to get started on. More classic Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku, The Art of Sudoku 2 and in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Twelve Months of Sudoku? post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.

(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
What are the odds?? Today’s puzzle is an Odd Sudoku, and it’s an oddity for GAS, being trickier than most. Keep in mind how many odds and evens you need in each row, column, and region.

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Theme: An Odd Coincidence

Author/Opus: This is the 89th puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules (insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). Also, cells with a square contain an even number; cells with a circle contain an odd number.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 9:59; One party hat (🥳): 19:59. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Futuristic Futalognkosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 6:13, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF; solving video with explanation to be added later from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other Follow this link for more Even/Odd Sudoku puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Even/Odd Sudoku to get started on. More Even/Odd Sudoku can be found in these books in our e-store.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.