What is the easiest Diagonal Sudoku strategy?
Start with a diagonal that has many given numbers, then test the missing numbers against rows, columns, and boxes.
Diagonal Strategy
Diagonal Sudoku Strategies
Diagonal Sudoku strategies start with ordinary scanning, then use each highlighted diagonal as an extra line of information.
Strategy profile
- Best audience
- Players who understand classic Sudoku and want a gentle next step.
- First move
- Look for a diagonal with many givens before searching the whole board.
- Avoid
- Do not solve only by diagonals; rows, columns, and boxes still matter.
- Senior fit
- The strategy is visual and works well with large highlighted cells.
Scan the diagonals early
If one diagonal already shows several numbers, list the missing numbers mentally or on paper. Then test each missing number against the crossing row, column, and box.
This is useful because diagonal squares often touch important parts of the board, especially near the center.
Use the diagonal as a tie-breaker
When two numbers seem possible in a square, the diagonal rule can remove one of them if that number already appears elsewhere on the same diagonal.
For older players, this works best on Very Easy or Easy first, where the diagonal rule teaches the pattern without creating a long solve.
- Start with highlighted squares that already contain many givens.
- Check row, column, box, then diagonal.
- Use Undo freely if a tap was accidental.
Practical Questions
Should I solve the diagonals first?
No. Treat the diagonals as extra help, not as the only path through the puzzle.