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Blind spot
https://www.calcudoku.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=896
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Author:  paulv66  [ Wed May 17, 2017 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Blind spot

Sometimes I really struggle to solve a problem and end up going around in circles and concluding that the puzzle must be unsolvable. When this happens, I start again from scratch and go really slowly, checking step by step for any assumptions I might have made about the only possible numbers that can go in certain cells or cages. I generally find that I have made an unwarranted assumption and looking at the alternative(s) generally leads to resolution of the problem.

A case in point is yesterday's difficult 9x9 (SPOILER ALERT - Don't read on if you haven't solved it yet). There's a 22 cage near the upper left hand corner. Somehow, I got the idea in my mind that the only possible solutions were 985 and 976. As 976 was rendered impossible by the 6 and 7 in A3 and B3, this left 589 as the only solution and this led to me getting stuck over and over again. When I finally realised that the cage is L shaped and 949 is therefore another possible solution (d'oh!), I solved the remainder of the puzzle fairly quickly.

I was just wondering if other people tend to run into the same problem.

Author:  beaker  [ Wed May 17, 2017 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

Sometimes, when looking at a cage a set of numbers will "pop" into my head (brain) and I get hung up on those.......then when the rest of the puzzle doesn't "fit" [cursing] , then I go back and try all the possible combinations and one of them (that I hadn't thought of was the obvious right choice).....happens (most of the time) when I am in hurry to solve my puzzles!!!

Author:  eclipsegirl  [ Thu May 18, 2017 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

Yes, it happens to me.
I feel so dumb when I figure it out.

ETA: I have one right now on a book puzzle, B34V6 - from 51 Advanced Puzzles Extra (or Vol 2)
I usually do not mind negative numbers and subtraction cages but this puzzle is wicked.

Author:  marblevolcano  [ Thu May 18, 2017 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

Ditto! Sometimes I forget one of the possibilities for a cage and completely ignore it... I become convinced that the puzzle is unsolvable [razz]

Author:  diane123  [ Sat May 20, 2017 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

Wicked is the perfect description for B34V6! I have worked at this puzzle off and on for quite some time and have yet to solve it. I think it is one of Patrick's most difficult/challenging puzzles.

Author:  eclipsegirl  [ Sat May 20, 2017 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

@ diane123,
IF I am able to solve the puzzle, I will let you know.

Author:  diane123  [ Sat May 20, 2017 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

In January I e-mailed Patrick and asked him how many people had solved B34V6 and he replied that 8 people had. So, some puzzlers have figured it out, but not a lot.

Author:  eclipsegirl  [ Sat May 20, 2017 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

I have solved it and contacted you by private message.
You can also contact me by private message, if you want.

I wonder how many have solved it now?

Author:  pnm  [ Sat May 20, 2017 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

eclipsegirl wrote:
I wonder how many have solved it now?


9 (NINE) people have so far submitted a correct solution.. [scared]

Author:  eclipsegirl  [ Sun May 21, 2017 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blind spot

There are several faster, better puzzlers than me.

I bet it is due to the access being limited to the 3rd annual subscription for all of us newbies. (sixth semi annual ?)

I am honored to be a solver of that frustating puzzle :namaste emoji that isn't supported:

@diane123, No contact from you. Do not fret. I would not give you (or anyone) the solution. I would only indicate where an error in logic has been made. Personally, when I solved my "blind spot" I felt like an idiot because my math was in error.

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