Sudoku X (Puzzle Society)

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A sudoku whose two diagonals are also no-repeat zones.

on gocomics.com

Puzzle Society art of a Sudoku X grid: a 9x9 sudoku with its two long diagonals shaded and some digits given

Sudoku X is the Puzzle Society's diagonal sudoku: a classic 9x9 grid with one more rule, that the two diagonals forming an X across the grid also hold the digits 1 to 9 once each. A new one comes each day on GoComics, with a subscription.

About Sudoku X (Puzzle Society)

Sudoku X is one of five sudoku games in the Puzzle Society set on GoComics from Andrews McMeel Universal, beside the classic daily sudoku, Sudoku Mini, Sudoku Mega and Sudoku X Mini. As the Puzzle Society puts it, the X in the middle is also a no-repeat zone.

The grid is the familiar nine by nine with nine 3x3 boxes, and each row, column and box must hold the digits 1 to 9 once. On top of that, the two long diagonals, shaded on the board, each hold 1 to 9 once as well. The extra rule gives you more to work with as well as more to satisfy: a digit on a diagonal also rules itself out of the other squares on that diagonal, which often opens a grid that would otherwise need harder techniques.

Each day brings one grid, the same for every player. It suits sudoku players who know the classic puzzle well and want a small change of rules rather than a new kind of puzzle.

Sudoku X is included with a GoComics subscription. Its 6x6 sibling is Sudoku X Mini.

How to play Sudoku X (Puzzle Society)

Open Sudoku X on the GoComics puzzles page and sign in with a GoComics subscription.
Look at the 9x9 grid: the two shaded diagonals cross in the centre box.
Fill each empty square with a digit from 1 to 9.
Make sure no digit repeats in any row, column, 3x3 box or either diagonal, until the grid is full.

Tips

Start with the diagonals: they are the extra rule, and the centre square sits on both.
When a digit is placed on a diagonal, cross it off the whole diagonal as well as its row, column and box.
Look for a diagonal with seven or eight digits given; the last ones often fall in early.