Here is your chance to represent the USA on the National Sudoku Team. The Philadelphia Inquirer will be hosting the first U.S. Sudoku championship October 19 through 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.
Advanced Winner Prize: $10,000 plus a spot on the U.S. National Sudoku Team. Winner will compete in the 2008 World Sudoku Championship in India. Travel and accommodations to and from the World Sudoku Championship will also be paid for as part of the advanced level prize.
Intermediate Winner Prize: Winner will receive $5,000.
Beginner Winner Prize: Winner will receive $3,000.
Category Winners: Several awards will be presented to winners in a variety of categories. These winners will receive $100.
The gold nails keep track of potential numbers for each space - no need for pencils, paper and erasing.
The beauty and craftsmanship of our Gold Spike™ Deluxe Tabletop Wooden Sudoku Board Game is without equal. The game board has a beautiful Walnut top, and features our Gold Spike™Tracking System (Pat. Pending) - a unique innovative system that uses gold pegs to
keep track of potential numbers for each square - no need for
paper, pencils, and erasing!
Sudoku is a one of the most addictive puzzles ever created. It requires no arithmetic - only logical thinking and the process of elimination.
The game is played on a grid consisting of nine rows, nine columns, and nine blocks. Each row, column, and block contains nine squares.
The puzzle begins with some numbers already on the grid. The object
is to fill in the remaining empty squares so that each row, column, and block contains all of the numbers from 1 to 9. To learn how to play Sudoku, CLICK HERE.
Gold Spike™ Sudoku Board Game includes 50 puzzles by Angus Johnson to get you started, and can be played with any Sudoku puzzle from your favorite newspaper, book or computer game. Ages 12 to adult.
81 large wooden game pieces are easy to pickup and read!
200 Gold Spike™ Tracking
Pegs keep track of potential
numbers for each square - no need for pencils, paper and erasing!
Here's how the Gold Spike Tracking System works:
Inside each square are 9 holes. Pegs are placed in the holes to represent the potential numbers 1 to 9.
If a peg is placed in the upper-left hole, it represents a 1. If a peg is placed in the lower-right hole, it represents a 9.
Sudoku is a number game that requires no arithmetic - just
logical thinking and the process of elimination. The game is
played on a grid consisting of 9 rows, 9 columns, and 9 blocks.
Each row, column, and block contains 9 squares.
Some of the squares contain numbers, which are the “givens.”
The object is to fill the empty squares so that each row, column,
and block contains all the numbers from 1 to 9. No number
can appear in any row, column, or block more than once.
The Gold Spike™ wooden game pieces have numbers on both sides. Use the white numbers for the “givens” and the black numbers for the ones that you place in the empty squares.
The best way to solve Sudoko is to only put a number in a
square when you are certain it goes there. Don’t guess! If
your guess is wrong, you may not discover it until you try
to place the last number on the grid.
By using a few simple techniques, you’ll be ready to start
solving Sodoku. With the Gold Spike™ Sudoku board game, it's easy! The first step is known as “scanning.”
How to Play Sudoku
Scanning makes use of the rule that a number can only appear
in a row or column once. By scanning the rows and columns on the sudoku board game, it will show where certain numbers cannot go, and may reveal the one square within a block where a certain number can go.
You can begin scanning for any number, but it’s better to start
with numbers based on their frequency. Since there are five 8s
in the example above, we’ll start by trying to fill more 8s.
Rows 4 and 5 already have 8s, which leaves one square in the
middle-right block to put the 8.
Columns 2 and 3 already have 8s, which leaves two squares in
the lower-left block. However, there is already an 8 in row 8,
which leaves one square in the lower-left block to put the 8.
Finding numbers will often help find more numbers. Rows 1
and 2 already have 8s, and we placed an 8 in column 8, which
leaves one square in the upper-right block to put the 8.
If you cannot find more numbers to place, thoroughly scan for
every missing number in each block.
While scanning, if you find a row, column, or block that is
missing only a few numbers, it’s a good idea to identify those
missing numbers and see if any of them can be placed.
For example, column 7 is missing 3 6 7. We cannot put the
6 in the bottom square because the lower-right block already
has a 6, and we cannot put the 7 there because row 7 already
has a 7, so the bottom square must be the 3.
The 6 cannot go in the middle square of column 7 because
row 2 already has a 6, so the middle square must be the 7,
which makes the top square the 6.
Remember, finding numbers will often help you find more
numbers, even in blocks that you have already scanned.
At this point, you may want to set up an easy puzzle on your Gold Spike™ Sudoku board game and give it a try.
Scanning will solve most easy puzzles, but when it stops
yielding results, it’s time to begin “marking up.”
Marking up is a way to keep track of the potential numbers
for each empty square. To find the potential numbers, which
are known as “candidates”, scan each square’s row, column,
and block for all of its missing numbers.
The Gold Spike™ Sudoku board game has a unique method of keeping track of candidate numbers. Pegs are placed in holes to represent the numbers 1 to 9.
If a peg is placed in the
upper-left hole, it represents
the 1. If a peg is placed in
the lower-right hole, it
represents the 9.
This method of tracking candidates is very easy to learn, and
will help you to recognize patterns of candidate numbers.
Once the candidates are known, we can use solving techniques
to reduce them to a single number in each of the squares.
In order for the solving techniques to work, it’s essential to
keep the candidate numbers updated. Whenever a number
is placed in a square, you must remove all pegs representing
that number from the square’s row, column, and block.
Here are the basic solving techniques for Sudoku:
Singles
If a square has only one candidate,
put that number into the square.
Hidden Singles
If a candidate appears just once in
a row, column, or block, put that
number into the square. In this
example, 4 is the hidden single
within the block.
Locked Candidates (in a Block)
If a candidate within a block only appears in one row or
column, remove that candidate from the remaining squares
in that row or column outside of the block.
In the example below, the right block has the candidate 9 only
in its top row. One of these two squares in the right block must
be the 9. Therefore, we will remove candidate 9 from the top
row of the other two blocks shown.
Naked Triples
If three squares in a row, column, or block contain only three
different candidates between them, remove those candidates
from the remaining squares in that row, column, or block.
In the example below, a triple is formed by the three squares
in columns 4, 8 and 9 of the row since they only contain the
candidates 1 5 6. Therefore, we will remove candidates 1 6
from columns 1, 3, and 5, which instantly solves the square
in column 5.
It’s important to note that each of the squares which form a
naked triple don’t have to contain all three candidates. In fact,
none of the squares need to have three candidates.
In this example, the candidates
1 3 6 in the left column form a
naked triple within the block.
Therefore, we will remove candidate 1 from the middle
column, and remove candidates 3 6 from the right column,
which instantly solves the square in the right column.
So, the squares which form a naked triple may contain only
two or three candidates each, but what is important is they
contain only three different candidates between them.
Naked triples are rather easy to spot and can often help you
solve a difficult sudoku puzzle.
Naked Quads
If four squares in a row, column, or block contain only four
different candidates between them, remove those candidates
from the remaining squares in that row, column, or block.
In the example below, a quad is formed by the four squares in
columns 1, 4, 6, and 9 of the row since they only contain the
candidates 6 7 8 9. Therefore, we will remove candidates 6 8
from column 2, and remove candidates 6 7 from column 7.
Each of the squares which form a naked quad don’t have to
contain all four candidates. In fact, none of the squares need
to have four candidates.
Hidden Pairs
If two squares in a row, column, or block contain an identical
pair of candidates that are not found in any other square in that
row, column, or block, remove any other candidates from
those two squares.
Let’s look at the previous example again. The candidates 2 3
in columns 2 and 7 form a hidden pair within the row.
One of the two squares must be the 2 and the other must be
the 3. Therefore, we will remove candidates 6 8 from the
square in column 2, and remove candidates 6 7 from the
square in column 7.
PRESS RELEASE
Two Brothers Strike Gold with Innovative Sudoku Board Game
Gold Spike Sudoku - a new deluxe wooden Sudoku board game, was unveiled today by George and James TerBush, founders of the Elverson Puzzle Company. The Sudoku board game features an innovative way to play Sudoku without pencils, paper, and erasing.
Elverson, PA (PRWEB) October 27, 2006 -- When George and James TerBush learned of the Sudoku puzzle craze last year, they immediately began drawing up plans for their Gold Spike Sudoku, a deluxe wooden Sudoku board game they unveiled today. The brothers, who founded the Elverson Puzzle Company, had to overcome a major obstacle - how do you solve Sudoku without pencils, paper, and erasing?
If you are not familiar with Sudoku, it is an addictive number puzzle that is played on a 9x9 grid of squares. Each puzzle starts with some squares already filled with numbers. The object is to fill in the empty squares so that each row, column, and 3x3 block contains all
of the numbers from 1 to 9.
"To solve the more challenging Sudoku puzzles, you need to keep track of the possible numbers for each empty square," said James. "If we didn't find a way to do that, our Sudoku board game would not be very useful."
The TerBush brothers devised an innovative method to keep track of the possible numbers. They created a pattern of nine holes in each square on their Sudoku game board. Gold pegs are placed in the holes to represent the numbers 1 to 9. The numerical value of each peg is determined by the hole it is placed into. Upon devising this method, they filed for a patent.
"It has many advantages over other Sudoku board games," said George. "The pegs make it very easy to add and remove possible numbers from the game board. It also allows you to add as many pegs as you need. Since there are no numbers on the pegs, the process of placing them on the game board can be done quickly, and you will never run out of any numbers. This method also allows patterns of numbers to be easily recognized, which is an important strategy in solving Sudoku."
The beauty and craftsmanship of Gold Spike Sudoku is a joy to behold. The large Walnut top game board contrasts nicely with the gold pegs and the numbered wooden game pieces. All of the contents of this Sudoku board game, including the packaging, are made to the highest quality. "Our goal was to make it good enough to be on the Antiques Road Show some day," said George.
Gold Spike Sudoku includes a 12" square wooden game board, 81 large numbered game pieces in a drawstring bag, 200 gold tracking pegs inside a game tin, and a comprehensive instruction booklet featuring 50 Sudoku puzzles by Angus Johnson. Designed for ages 12 and up, the Sudoku board game retails for $34.95. Gold Spike Sudoku is available at http://www.elversonpuzzle.com/Sudoku-Board-Game.html
The Elverson Puzzle Company is a maker of award-winning games and puzzles. Founded in 1995, Elverson Puzzle makes the Gold Spike Sudoku Board Game, Jacob's Revenge Bottle Puzzle, Log Stacker Puzzle Box , R.G.B. Round-Up Tile-Matching Game, Dice Stacker Puzzle, Farkle Deluxe Dice Game, and the Texas Bandit Card Game. For more information, visit http://www.elversonpuzzle.com
11/4/06
I received my board yesterday. Thank you very much.
I really like the board. I played the first game last night. Your system with the gold spikes to show the candidates works well. And, I am sure when I am attempting to
solve the more difficult puzzles it will be very helpful! It was an easy transition for
me, since I usually mark the candidates by writing small numbers in the appropriate
9 position spot in the square.
I had looked at other sudoku boards to purchase - but yours had the best design
Am very pleased with your version of the Sudoku board puzzle. Only thing, I
would prefer the wood number tiles to be a bit heavier and square, but that is personal preference. Here is my customer testimonial.
I do Sudoku puzzles quite often. For simple to moderately difficult puzzles,
paper is sufficient for me. But for more difficult sudukos, I wanted a table top
board version to work more efficiently with candidates. All of the sudoku board versions I came across lacked in two areas.... 1) not enough candidate pieces
2) Candidate pieces were to awkward to handle, being small numbered blocks of
wood or plastic that would slow me down. Elverson puzzle solves both problems. They give you more candidates than you will probably ever use in a sudoku.
They also adopt the pin grid system for the placement and removal of candidates.
I find several advantages to this. First, this allows one to move much faster
while working on a Sudoku. Second, once you get used to the pin grid system
it actually helps you to better visualize locations and values for candidates since
the pins locate the numbers they represent in the same spot of each and every square. In converting over to this system, I find I make less mistakes. I now
use the same system when going back to pencil marks on paper sudokus. Bravo Elverson for putting so much thought into the design of this puzzle. This should
I recently (Friday 12/1) placed an order for a Gold Spike Sudoku puzzle as a
Christmas gift for my sister and brother-in-law. Almost immediately after placing
the online order,I received an e-mail confirmation along with a FedX tracking
number. Today, just 2 business days from placing the order,I received the puzzle
at my door. Opening up the box, the Invoice/Packing Slip even had a handwritten "Thank You" on it.
This is the way America should be doing business. The efficiency, as well as
personal touch, seem to be a long lost art. Thank you to you, your brother, and
all the employees involved for making my day and, to some degree, restoring my
faith! I will certainly recommend Elverson to anyone and everyone. Hope you and everyone at Elverson have a wonderful (hopefully somewhat restful) holiday
I should have written much sooner. I want to let you know that the Sudoku
board arrived promptly and in good order. I am so pleased with your good service.
As you no doubt realize more and more board Sudoku games are being advertised. From what I see, none comes close to the good design and workmanship of the Elverson puzzle. I congratulate myself on my decision.
I placed my order for the gold spike sudoku On Monday March 19 and already
received my order on the 22nd. It was such a nice suprise since the estimated delivery from Fedex wasn't until the 26th. The reason we decided to order this version is because my Grandad loves sudoku, but has a hard time seeing due
to vision loss. This board is perfect and he will be able to see the pieces more
I recently received your Gold Spike Sudoku game. I'm very impressed with the quality, especially your unique Gold Spikes for candidate numbers. Great idea!
