On Sudoku in daily newspapers

日报上的数独          Rìbào shàng de shù dú

Let us start by counting the total number of cells with digits in each of the above sudoku puzzles. Have you got 24 exposed cells (that is, cells with digits in them) in each of the puzzles? Briefly, our advice is that any Sudoku puzzle with less than 26 exposed cells can be classified as “EXTREMELY HARD” for an logical attempt in getting a solution. During the process of solving this puzzle, we shall have to use the “Trial-and-Error” method which is tedious, time consuming, and totally frustrating.

让我们首先计算上述每个数独谜题中包含数字的单元格总数。在每个谜题中，您是否有 24 个暴露的单元格（即其中包含数字的单元格）？简而言之，我们的建议是，任何少于 26 个暴露单元格的数独谜题都可以归类为“极难”，以便通过逻辑尝试获得解决方案。在解决这个难题的过程中，我们不得不使用“试错法”，这种方法既乏味又费时，而且完全令人沮丧。

For those readers who are, like me, studying the Chinese mandarin, we give below the Hanyu Pinyin of the translation in the preceding paragraph.

Sudoku has become a popular pastime for many people. especially those who are, like me, over the age of 65 and living in a retirement village. We look forward to our daily newspapers only to turn on to the Sudoku puzzle page the first thing in the morning, during breakfast. This is our priority - not the current news.

数独已成为许多人的流行消遣。特别是那些像我一样，65 岁以上，住在退休村的人。我们期待我们的日报只在早上早餐时打开数独拼图页面。这是我们的首要任务 - 而不是当前新闻。

However. the level of difficulty of these puzzles has become a bone of contention for many elderly Sudoku-solvers. We are often left frustrated and discouraged by puzzles that are too hard to solve. This frustration can negatively impact our enjoyment of the game and may even lead us to give up Sudoku altogether.

然而。这些谜题的难易程度已成为许多年长的数独解决者争论的焦点。我们常常因难以解决的难题而感到沮丧和沮丧。这种挫败感会对我们玩游戏的乐趣产生负面影响，甚至可能导致我们完全放弃数独。

One of the biggest issues with Sudoku puzzles, as presented to us in the daily press, is the lack of consistency in their difficult levels. Many puzzles that are classified as “hard” are actually extremely difficult, even to an experienced player.

每日媒体向我们展示的数独游戏最大的问题之一是其难度级别缺乏一致性。许多被归类为“困难”的谜题实际上非常困难，即使对于有经验的玩家也是如此。

Puzzles with less than 26 exposed numbers are particularly challenging, as they require a great deal of trial and error alternatives to solve. Conversely, puzzles that are labeled as “easy” are often too simplistic, providing little challenge to players who are looking for more engaging experience. Perhaps a way of classifying Sudoku puzzles is that of “Beginner” for those really easy ones, “Intermediate” for those now being classified as “easy” but not at the beginners’ level, and “Secondary” for those that go beyond the current “easy” ones. Most important of all, the editors of the publishers must get a team of volunteer-testers to help with the classification before publishing. The responsibility for ensuring the quality of Sudoku puzzles lies with these editors who, unfortunately do not have the expertise or resources to properly vet the puzzles they publish. As a result, readers are left to sort out the difficult puzzles on their own, wasting time and effort in the process.

暴露数字少于 26 个的谜题特别具​​有挑战性，因为它们需要大量的反复试验来解决。相反，标有“简单”标签的谜题往往过于简单，对寻求更具吸引力的体验的玩家来说几乎没有挑战。也许对数独谜题进行分类的一种方法是，将那些真正简单的问题归为“初级”，将那些现在被归类为“简单”但未达到初学者水平的问题归为“中级”，将那些超出当前水平的问题归为“中级” “简单”的。最重要的是，出版商的编辑必须在出版前找一个志愿测试人员团队帮助分类。确保数独谜题质量的责任在于这些编辑，不幸的是，他们没有专业知识或资源来正确审查他们发布的谜题。结果，读者只能自己解决难题，浪费时间和精力。

To address this issue of grading, it is essential that editors of daily papers take a more active role in selecting puzzles that are appropriate for their readership. By working with puzzle creators and experts in the field, editors can ensure that the puzzles they publish are both challenging and engaging for their readers. This will not only improve the overall quality of Sudoku puzzles but also help to keep players interested and engaged in the game.

为了解决这个分级问题，日报的编辑必须在选择适合其读者的谜题方面发挥更积极的作用。通过与该领域的谜题创作者和专家合作，编辑可以确保他们发布的谜题既具有挑战性又能吸引读者。这不仅会提高数独游戏的整体质量，而且有助于保持玩家对游戏的兴趣和参与度。

In conclusion, it is clear that the current state of difficulty levels in Sudoku puzzles is less than satisfactory. By raising aw awareness of this issue and urging editors to take a more proactive approach, we can work towards improving the quality of Sudoku puzzles and ensuring that players can enjoy the game as intended. So, next time you lick up a Sudoku puzzle, remember to pay attention to its difficulty level and choose one that suits your skill level.

总之，很明显，数独谜题的当前难度水平并不令人满意。通过提高对这个问题的认识并敦促编辑采取更积极主动的方法，我们可以努力提高数独谜题的质量并确保玩家可以按预期享受游戏。所以，下次你玩数独游戏时，记得注意它的难度，选择适合你技能水平的。

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