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Im new to Sudoku and found this puzzle where every open slot has at least two possibilities, what would be the next step?

Thanks a bunch.

Code: Select all

 
_ _ _   4 6 _   1 _ _
_ _ 2   1 _ _   7 8 _
1 _ _   8 _ 2   _ _ 4

5 7 1   6 _ _   4 _ _
_ _ _   2 4 1   _ _ _
_ _ 4   _ _ 5   _ 3 1

8 1 7   3 2 6   5 4 9
_ 5 6   _ _ 4   2 1 _
_ _ _   5 1 _   _ _ _



As well as checking which numbers can be in the cells, it's important to check which cells in a particular row/column/box can hold each number. So, in your example, if you look at the third row down, there's only one cell that the 7 can be in (the middle one).

Check out the solving techniques at
http://www.paulspages.co.uk/sudoku/howtosolve/

It is an extremely helpful sudoku site. Pay attention to 1. crosshatching, 2. slicing & dicing, and 3 pencilling in. When you move on to more difficult puzzles pay attention to the rules about pairs, triplets, and such

Ken