Hi Harvey,

I have been playing sudoku for about 7 months. The most difficult thing about this puzzle for me would be when I am down to the last few squares and it comes down to guessing, when there is no definite answer. These letters have helped my sudoku playing. I have always realized that there must be
some formula to it and have tried to figure it out. Reading your letters has made me really excited and much more determined to learn the secrets that unlock everything. That alone has improved the way I play.

Thank you for keeping in touch.

Emma May Delbridge
Perth

I have benefited greatly from you lessons. Doing Sudoku is a very good way to spend time while waiting at doctor offices or the hospital, which I do a lot of. I can very much recommend it to anyone who likes to tease their brain.
Keep up your lessons. I know it must help a lot of folks!

Earl Wells 
Winchester, Ky.

Dear Harvey,

I only discovered Sudoku two weeks ago. I thought they would be easy for me because I pride myself on logic and puzzle-solving. I've even been a test writer for major testing companies, writing questions in the areas of informal logic and number puzzles. Yet, Sudoku had me stumped and pulling my hair out. Now I know why--I was trying to jump in too deep and too quickly. Your letters helped me in two ways. First they kept me from quitting after a few failed attempts. Second, they showed me how to go slowly, learning the principles first, before trying to solve a complete puzzle. Thank you for the skills and the inspiration!

Elizabeth Redekop
Amherst, MA

Hi Harvey,

I have been playing Sudoku for about six weeks and am enjoying it immensely.

When I first saw the game I was totally confused and did not know where to begin. I checked out several how-to books and still was unable to get started. Then I came across your website and received several of your letters. The approach to the puzzle finally became clearer. I have since moved from easy, to medium, to hard puzzles, and look forward to trying the hardest puzzles.
Thanks for the help.

Carol Lubomski
Bayside, NY

I have been playing sudoku for less than a month. A fellow worker makes copies from the newspaper, and distributes them around. Over half our work force is now doing them. I needed your web site to get me started on the basics. I have since bought a series of puzzles that go from easy to hard. I am trying to build up a little speed. I am getting the hard puzzles but it takes work on my part which I could still use tips for. The most difficult thing for me is when you have a number that is not in the puzzle at all to begin with.

Barb Winch,
Scottsdale, AZ.

Hi Harvey,

One of the most frustrating parts of trying to solve the puzzles was when I had two numbers in two cells and had to guess which one was correct. In addition, I found that at times there was an additional cell that had the same 2 numbers as well as a third. It was brought to my attention that the third number had to be the correct one for the three number cells as the other two cells had only two possible solutions. This really helps resolve many number issues. Thanks for the tips.

Fred Balmages
Baltimore, Maryland

Hello!

I am a Sudoku addict, like many. Also, before I started reading Harvey's letters and guidelines my game has surely stepped up. I have been playing Sudoku for just a couple of months and I always had difficulty with my number placement and finding doubles in every line! However, after reading these informational newsletters, my skills greatly improved, now it is taking me about half the time to solve these puzzles! They really do help to make you a better player!

Sara Hobbi
Fairless Hills

Hi,

The letters are entertaining and informative.
My solving has improved a bit by reading.
I have been doing the "sudoku" for about four months.
I just found a web site to do online.
I like the fast pace and they are easy to carry.
Thanks again,

Linda Pendergast
Covina, CA

I have found your messages helpful, but I am still at a loss on the 9 square puzzles as to which number to put first. I am recent player and have only started to play since receiving your lessons.  I found the 4 square puzzles very simple, but I am at a complete loss with the 9 squares.

Patricia Grundy
Melbourne, Australia

Hi Harvey,

I have been doing Sudoku puzzles for a long, long time - before they were popularized by the Japanese reselling of them in fact. They started in the U.S., spread to Japan, and NOW they're a hot topic. But I loved them before that.

In what way do your letters help? They are targeted at a variety of puzzle lovers. And as any sudoku puzzle lover knows, any sudoku puzzle cries out to be solved, so the fact it makes them so readily available is a really nice thing.

In addition, it provides a productive use for email. So often we get spam or other undesirable letters in the mail. These letters are of a completely different nature - they're desirable! The result is that the letters are a kind of package deal of goodness - they provide a positive outlet for a sudoku addict AND increase the productivity of whatever email provider you have. A win-win situation!

As for what was the hardest thing I experienced BEFORE I started reading the letters - that would have to be distraction! The letters allow me to focus on solving those very puzzles I so adore!
Thank you for your time

Jason Loiselle
Hampton Roads, VA