All-new Sudoku Puzzles For Fun & Relaxation Sudoku is an easy to learn logic-based number placement puzzle. The word Sudoku is short for Su-ji wa dokushin ni kagiru which means "the numbers must be single". The first puzzle was published in 1979 by Howard Garns, an American architect. Sudoku became popular in Japan in 1986 and "Sudoku" was the name given to it by the Japanese Nikoli Co., Ltd.
Sudoku requires the use of deductive reasoning and search for patterns to figure out where to place the missing numbers on the grid. The logical structure of the game means that Sudoku is relatively simple and easy to learn how to play.