⚔️ Samurai Sudoku

Samurai Sudoku is five overlapping 9×9 grids arranged in a cross — a true endurance challenge.

Rules

  • Each of the five 9×9 grids follows normal Sudoku rules on its own.
  • The four corner grids share their inner 3×3 box with the central grid.

Strategy

The shared overlap regions are the key: a digit you place there counts for two grids at once. Work the overlaps first, then let those deductions ripple outward into each grid.


🏆 Difficulties & scoring

This type can be played on all five difficulties. The score multiplier for Samurai is ×2 — so every point counts for more on this variant. The "normal time" below is tuned for this type.

DifficultyBase scoreMax (×2)Normal timeHints
easy 150 600 15 min 7
medium 300 1200 30 min 6
hard 600 2400 45 min 5
expert 1000 4000 60 min 4
evil 1500 6000 90 min 3

How the score is calculated

Your score builds up from 0 as you place correct numbers, up to the full base when the board is finished. Then two bonuses are added:

base × (1 + combo bonus + time bonus) × 2
  • Progress: the live score climbs from 0 to the base as the grid fills with correct numbers.
  • Combo bonus (up to +50%): keep a clean run for the full bonus. Each error or hint is a combo break that shrinks the bonus — but it never takes points away below the base.
  • Time bonus (up to +50%): beat the normal time and you earn extra, proportional to how much faster you were. Finishing slower than normal costs nothing — there is no time penalty.
  • The total is multiplied by ×2 and never drops below 0.

Coins

The coins you earn reflect your score — the more points, the more coins (about 1 coin per 20 points, minimum 1). Spend coins in the Shop on hints and Jokers.

Tip: a clean, hint-free solve under the normal time scores the highest. The Daily Challenge is always Classic and fully scored.

Samurai Sudoku — FAQ

What is Samurai Sudoku?
Samurai Sudoku is five overlapping 9×9 grids arranged in a cross, where the four corner grids share their central box with the middle grid.
How do the overlapping grids work?
Each of the five grids follows normal Sudoku rules. The shared 3×3 boxes must satisfy both grids they belong to at the same time.
How do I solve a Samurai Sudoku?
Start with the overlapping boxes, because clues there constrain two grids at once, then work outward solving each 9×9 grid as a normal Sudoku.
Is Samurai Sudoku one big puzzle or five?
It is one connected puzzle: the overlaps tie the five grids together, so progress in one grid helps you solve its neighbours.

More questions? See the full FAQ.