Windoku 6×6 Expert — Set 81
Solver Notes
Windoku — Free Online & Printable
Windoku, also known as Window Sudoku or NRC Sudoku, adds four fixed 3×3 window regions to the standard 9×9 grid. The windows are positioned symmetrically: top-left at rows 2-4, columns 2-4; top-right at rows 2-4, columns 6-8; bottom-left at rows 6-8, columns 2-4; bottom-right at rows 6-8, columns 6-8. Every window must contain digits 1-9 without repetition, in addition to standard row, column, and box constraints. The overlapping nature of windows and standard boxes creates rich constraint chains that experienced solvers find deeply satisfying.
About the 6×6 Grid
The 6×6 grid strikes a balance between accessibility and depth. With 36 cells in 2×3 boxes, puzzles take 3 to 10 minutes depending on difficulty. The 6×6 is large enough to showcase variant rules meaningfully — Killer cages have room to create genuine arithmetic puzzles, Windoku windows overlap in interesting ways — while remaining completable in a single sitting. Many players find the 6×6 their "daily driver" format: challenging enough to be satisfying, short enough to fit into a break. Variant rules interact more visibly at this size than the 4×4.
Expert Difficulty
Expert difficulty requires advanced solving techniques beyond basic elimination. Expect to use X-wing patterns (where a candidate appears in exactly two cells across two rows that align in the same two columns), swordfish (three-row X-wing extension), and XY-wing (three-cell chain eliminations). For Killer Expert, complex cage arithmetic with 3-4 possible combinations must be narrowed through cross-cage deduction. Most expert solvers use full candidate notation. Average time: 40-60 minutes for 9×9. Not recommended as a first attempt at any variant.
How to Get Started
- Choose "New Puzzle" to generate a fresh Windoku puzzle with a unique solution
- Click or tap cells to enter numbers (1–6)
- Use the constraint highlights to track which numbers are still available
- Print the puzzle if you prefer solving on paper