Sudoku Puzzles

Sudoku is a logic-based (not mathematical) number puzzle that took the world by storm in 2005. Whilst often referred to as a Japanese number puzzle, it is thought that that Sudoku actually derived from Latin Squares, a game known since medieval times.

The recent Sudoku craze was kicked off by New Zealander Wayne Gould when, in 1997, he saw a partially completed puzzle in a Japanese bookshop. Over the next few years he developed a computer program to produce puzzles quickly. He then promoted Sudoku to The Times in Britain, which launched it on 12 November, 2004.

Scientific studies have shown that a daily burst of sustained mental activity - such as solving Sudoku puzzles - can help prevent memory loss and degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer's - a very good reason to get your daily dose of puzzling fun at nzherald.co.nz