Killer Sudoku· Advanced

Goal

Fill each row, column, and 3x3 box with 1-9 without repeats, and the numbers in each dashed cage must sum to the indicated value.

Rules

  • Standard Sudoku rules: each row, column, and 3x3 box contains 1-9 exactly once.
  • Numbers in each dashed cage must add up to the target sum shown in the top-left corner.
  • No number can be repeated within the same cage.
63
2
81
71
5
3
2
4
99

Start with small cages (2-3 cells) to narrow down candidates quickly. Think about which number combinations can produce each sum.

Killer Sudoku requires simultaneous arithmetic calculation and logical elimination, imposing high cognitive load on working memory and executive functions.

  • Crook (2009) - A Pencil-and-Paper Algorithm for Solving Sudoku Puzzles
  • Miyake et al. (2000) - Unity and Diversity of Executive Functions