The Most Famous Sudoku Ever

[@Stromecek1000]

Simon, stuck for 5 seconds: "Sorry" Me, stuck for 50 minutes: ...

[@evoamv8291]

I gave up after 30 min :/

[@minecraftbro5333]

I've given up even trying ☹️

[@andreas_steininger]

I got it after 60 minutes, but holy shit...

[@_underscore_2381]

got it after 4h21m lol

[@Cakemagic1]

Holy shit, this Sudoku is insane.

[@JTSmithMarketing]

KZbin's recommendation engine recommended your "only 4 digits" Sudoku, and now I'm hooked. I've watched probably 15 videos on your channel and taken to solving more Sudoku puzzles on my phone.

[@EvilTuinhek]

Same. No idea where that recommendation came from because I have never watched anything sudoku related before.

[@david_2364]

Same. Been binging this channel the past few days!

[@carina1603]

Same

[@OExtendedGamingO]

Same. LMAO

[@oXistence]

Happens to all of us! Thank you KZbin recommendations

[@thenameshunter]

while yes, the algorithm did this man a service over the previous week, i feel like i can watch almost any content if the person presenting it is showing so much delight in it just like this guy. it’s the same reason we watch other people play video games that we don’t play ourselves. if their passion comes through, they hold your attention.

[@joshandrews8913]

The algorithm helped a lot of people find the channel, but it doesn't make people keep watching. Simon and Mark are the reason we watched more than just one suggested video. I don't even know why their channel was suggested to me a couple months ago, but I've been hooked. As a kid, I liked Sudoku puzzles, but I only knew about classics. Then one of their videos was recommended and I was like "WHAT? There are other kinds of Sudoku?" and I started solving puzzles again.

[@FlourescentPotato]

The algorithm is rewarding this channel for having reliably quality material though, it's not undeserved

[@57thorns]

Most of the channels I follow are like this one: Very high quality content, that takes a lot of effort to crate, with passionate creators that manage to share their passion for the subject. And they all are happy whenever they reach 10k, 50k or 100k. Meanwhile, trash is generally getting millions of subscribers and fail if they drop below a million views, but never fail hard enough to drop out of recommendations for just about everyone. These channels, if they try something different (like when Cracking the Cryptic show the occasional cryptic crossword, which is where they started) are extremely vulnerable. If just a small fraction of their viewer are not in the mood this time, or not as interested in that single video, the Algorithm suddenly decides that promoting this channel is not worth promoting. Which is why it is so important to support these smaller channels (less than half a million) by commenting and liking. KZbin call it "audience participation". And it is so easy on this channel just to go to the puzzle, solve it and move on with your day. You have enjoyed the content, but KZbin just see you looking at a short part of the video and as they could not sell any ads, it is not content they will promote.

[@phosphorescentkat6046]

Completely true, and its awesome to learn something new also.

[@TheRaker1000]

"delight" is exactly right. It makes me grin when he says something like, "Oh, and this is absolutely brilliant!"

[@btka13]

The joy of seeing a move just before Simon does and then he goes OH heres a move makes me feel smart for a second haha

[@meurer13daniel]

And then you remember about the other hundred moves he got and you didn't and start feeling dumb again

[@meaninglesscommenter8457]

Daniel Meurer he is a really good puzzler, he’s solved hundreds of sudokus. It’s impressive if you see a move before him, because you havent got all the training he has

[@SadisticSenpai61]

I like to go as far as I can with the video paused and then unpause it while I wait for him to catch up to me and point out what I missed. It's always nice when I finally spot the problem before he catches up. But it still takes me at least twice as long to do the puzzles as it does him and I'm not explaining the process to ppl while I do the puzzles. lol

[@development_arrested]

@@SadisticSenpai61 i was doing this puzzle and would watch him when i got stuck until he found some piece of logic i didn't see., then i would pause him and go as far as i could until i got stuck again. i ended up finishing the puzzle. but when i came back to his video our paths had diverged somewhere. the website doesn't check for the knights move and i had somehow ended up with a single pair of eights that were a knights move away. :(

[@PurpleSidewalk1]

And then he says "now this isn't very exciting but look what it does to this other box" and I'm like huhhhh I was too busy being proud of myself to notice that...

[@lukasaurelius4462]

Simon and Mark - you are both fantastic solvers. But I think it’s your explanation and very obvious JOY at completing puzzles is what has made this channel so fun and engaging. I’m so glad Cracking the Cryptic is becoming as popular as it deserves.

[@paulinouillessautees]

He is the cutest and most genuine person ever, no question asked

[@ablejack3]

Looks good to me!

[@pumpsker]

How about Tim from Grand illusions?

[@floris1912]

buffcorrell??

[@qriffis]

same i love james charles

[@paulinouillessautees]

@@pumpsker don't know him haha

[@topscream8840]

Simon: Let's solve this! Me: *solved the 1 in bottom left box and then goes to bed*

[@rogerstone3068]

Yeah... "Underachiever and proud of it" - Bart.

[@RoCciTyswEets]

@@rogerstone3068 lol

[@lazarus1995]

James Charles is the last person I would imagine getting a shout out here

[@alifant1944]

Rotorboy why the hell is he popular?

[@lazarus1995]

@@alifant1944 personally I have no strong feelings for or against him but I think he's mostly popular with girls for being a sort of makeup guru and an influencer in general, kind of funny when a sudoku channel shouts him out

[@drewkavi6327]

@@alifant1944 make-up

[@timopeters995]

Maybe you are bad man but that doesn't make you bad man

[@andrewmurphy5310]

Who is james charles?

[@rachelle364]

I love how he says "that 5 is powerful" instead of useful

[@KevinSalim]

Yeah love it and 5 is my fav number

[@silviafox78]

Kinda reminds me of how gamers call a weapon or spell or attack ability "powerful" instead of "useful" This man is a serious Gamer!

[@KevinSalim]

@@silviafox78 but weapons or spells or attacks are classified by their power tho :/ usefulness is another context about how versatile the weapon is so they're both correct in this case tho

[@silviafox78]

@@KevinSalim - I'm just joking around as a way to say this man is a hardcore gamer.

[@KevinSalim]

@@silviafox78 ah ofcourse 😂

[@Cooki3Monster371]

Wasn't aware that I can't even escape James Charles watching a British man play Sudoku but ok then

[@KipTM]

@Salmonfaky hell yeah I love hate bandwagons/being contrarian

[@JL-zw7hi]

@Salmonfaky No he's amazing

[@CottidaeSEA]

It is a bit surprising, but from the little I know of him, James Charles does enjoy games of various kinds and also likes to watch KZbin videos, so it is also understandable that he might stumble across this channel. The only reason I found this video is because of the swordfish pattern.

[@erikbreathes]

the ultimate ubiquity

[@xethaan1987]

Same

[@LexicographicalPedant]

Girlfriend- Do you know what is wrong with our relationship? Me- “Can’t really disambiguate that”

[@ms.mittenz]

The algorithm blessed you. Have seen a bunch of videos of yours because of that 4 numbers sudoku :)

[@lorenzosarria3359]

Ayla Soares exactly the same happened to me. I got recommended the 4 digit puzzle and I spent the whole day watching their videos

[@justink5585]

Yeah, same for me also

[@LINKedup101]

Isn't it such perfect content for quarantining? It's so calming

[@NalonB]

Your political compass is opposite of mine, yet we enjoy the same video artist. Interesting.

[@mightymaniac8712]

Ayla Soares Nice political compass

[@RealGermanish]

"This 5 is powerful." Thank you, I needed to hear that.

[@chawmila]

Idk ur account appeared in my recommendations yesterday but these videos are so relaxing that I cant stop watching 😅

[@michaelportillo5474]

Same here!

[@frenchfries1443]

Same here!

[@thebiasedreview5432]

Same. Wasn't yesterday. But it was this week. He is so good.

[@neothepenguin1257]

Same here

[@laraespique6707]

same here! except a year later hahaha

[@kelperdude]

Oh man! Your subs grew by like 20,000 overnight. That is FANTASTIC.

[@sebw89]

...and another 10,000 since last night :D

[@remaymanguera1472]

Coronavirus: your welcome.

[@nikolausdemme1011]

Simon: "I'm sure u guys have seen it" 25:52 me: lookin at a whole bunch of numbers trying to understand how this guy is able to solve it without getting cripplin depression

[@David-rf8fb]

While i did see it, i also had to pause the video for 3 minutes to find it. So its a soft win for me.

[@etiennefrancois5884]

This puzzle killed me, I spent 2 hours on it, thought I was about to solve it then realised I'd made a mistake but had no idea when

[@dapperOctopus]

I didn't see his 'it' but I saw the missing 9 glaring at me. That was so inconsequential that he only put it in at the end :D

[@twoduece]

i almost started crying because the 5 was sitting there for so long, it wasnt even a knights move it was just sudoku

[@ericojonx]

​@@twoduece "just sudoku": That's why it sat there!!!!😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@iliba]

Gems are rarely recommended on KZbin and your channel was definitely one of them (the "Only 4 Digits" was recommended). I'd NEVER done a Sudoku puzzle in my life and after watching several of your videos, I finished my first puzzle last night!

[@FlourescentPotato]

Like other people are saying, the "only 4 digits" one was recommended to me by youtube and i've watched dozens of other videos since. Even did my first few sudokus ever because of the channel! well done

[@EHobbit]

Congratulations! Your channel was in my recommendations two days ago and I have watched at least 10 videos since then. And started solving Sudokus again, after many years of not even thinking of that.

[@mattbeharry]

That 4 digits puzzle popped up in my recommended - then I watched one with the snake version that popped up next... all of them have been great. Well done. -cheers

[@lavenderlavender3952]

"I know it's there, I know you guys have seen it" I think he believes in us too much

[@karlsangree]

I love the feeling of smug superiority I get when I spot a move before Simon. However, that feeling is quickly replaced by a feeling of idiocy when I realize he spotted the same move several minutes ago and is actually working on something 100 times more elegant than what I could come up with.

[@k8xt]

I found your channel with ‘Sudoku with Only 4 Given Digits’ because it randomly popped up in my recommended even though I never watched or search for sudoku prior to this 😂. I’ve been interested in sudoku for years (I’m not advanced or anything at all) but I ended up watching a bunch of your videos because of that. Congrats for 100k!

[@nizismail7194]

Can't believe James Charles got a shoutout from the Sudoku Master himself.

[@jonasgleim7612]

Thanks for solving and congrats on the 100k milestone! Very well done for spotting the naked singles so fast, I didn't spot them for a long time when constructing this ;)

[@ISaidLetLoose]

You guys are geniuses, and amazing narrators. That's why people is binge watching you

[@ttbf]

Now whenever I solve a Sudoku I hear my thoughts in Simon's voice.....

[@lucieea7544]

« now where can a 4 go in this row? » My sudoku thoughts are in Simon’s english even though my first language is french. Witchcraft

[@Joegengstah]

Haha same, I tell myself "now how could this be a 5". And "oh bobbins", and "now we're really cooking with gas" Im norwegian btw Idk how Im thinking in english

[@YourDogDed]

The happines at 26:20 is just so cute, hes smile is awesome and just makes me feel warm inside :D

[@jacobmills7901]

Simon, stuck for 5 mins: sorry Me, trying to find a three letter word for puppy: ... it’s alright

[@SomeDigitalGhost]

Pet?

[@kenyakookie]

dog?

[@zachplayz8546]

Pup :)

[@NicklasUlvnas]

KZbin magic worked good for once! I got it suggested yesterday and have watching almost non-stop since then, guess I'm not the only one :) So glad I found this gold gem of channels!

[@danidevi6720]

Congratulations you guys, you definitely deserve it!! And thank you for keeping us entertained especially during this hard time!

[@Stephen-Fox]

Even with the extended preamble, for me solving in less than 50 minutes when you post a nearly 30 minute video makes me happy with my time.

[@yourpalmal6018]

I love when he gets a great idea and says look :)

[@brandonw409]

Somehow the algorithm hooked you up! Just like everyone else, I saw the 4 digit puzzle and now I’m hooked. Keep up the good work and congrats!!

[@yahya092]

forgot to post this in my last comment but you guys should do Sam Cappleman-Lynes' hard 6x6 sudoku as a 100k special!!!

[@Jay-sw6gd]

CONGRATULATIONS ON 100K!!!!! I love your videos and you always put so much time and effort in your videos. Thank you!!!

[@malini6910]

the 4 digit sudoku got recommended to me from KZbin and since then I've watched so many of your videos because they really manage to calm me down in this ongoing pandemic so thank you for that!!!

[@hemannjatia2062]

I just find your channel yesterday because of the algorithm but i am so happy i did i love solving sudoku. I think that mentally stimulating the brain brings so much joy and i love seeing that in you. Congrats on your recent success man!!!

[@sarelfeniel1388]

Amazing to see you guys having reached 100k subscribers! I've been coming here since early 2019 and have watched every video since. So many amazing variants and constructors I now get excited when I see certain names since I know it'll be good. Here's to another 100k!

[@liamclancy7879]

So glad I found this channel last week. New favorite

[@andrewgodfrey2103]

Thank you so much, I hope you guys can understand that we really appreciate all your work❤️

[@jaeusa160]

I'm glad Recommended videos sent me over to this channel. I don't have the time or patience to spend my time on these myself, but I do enjoy watching along with the logic and puzzle solving.

[@tylergall8192]

Congratulations, guys! I look forward to watching these puzzles every day and here's to more growth in the future

[@Tam_Miri]

This is absolutely fascinating to watch! I used to do sudoku puzzles when I first started working but for whatever reason stopped. I came here through KZbin recommendation and it is just amazing to see how quickly these are figured out - also, I never heard of the Knight's move and King one before now - a really cool and neat additional rule to the standard sudoku! The only 4 digit video was what brought me to this channel and I'm quite quickly becoming hooked! :D

[@willhiprow2588]

1 34 "it is the most beautiful puzzle and he is a beautiful...constructor" Had to stop yourself there mate😂

[@TiaMat99]

nothing wrong with platonic puzzlemaker appreciation

[@noamazia]

when?

[@alisab3072]

watching ur videos got me excited abt sudokus again! i loved doing them as a kid, but somehow i forgot about them... but then i got a video of urs recommended to me and now i am absolutely hooked!!! i had to go buy myself a sudoku book yesterday and i've already done many sudokus in it. thank u for the great videos, keep up the good work!

[@hauler-hx6gw]

I have been watching for a few months now and am so glad to finally see other people in the comments who just like to watch that aren't necessarily good solvers

[@LINKedup101]

You guys popped up in my recommendations and I am so happy for it. You guys have taught me a lot about sudoku already, and I can't wait to watch more and learn more until I can take down extremely difficult puzzles with ease

[@JZuCuadra]

Solved it after 1:25:34, first ever one that I've done before watching the solution. found you about 3 days ago from the 'only 4 digits' puzzle and I've had my love for Sudoku reignited. Keep up with the amazing content

[@ericfox7021]

Congratulations on 100k subs and 1M views on Aad's videos! It's crazy to me how quickly your channel has grown over the past few years, let alone these past two weeks. Very well deserved.

[@treebolne9910]

love the channel. i have been bingewatching it the past 24 hours

[@paullempges7860]

I love your videos. Originally got here from the one with only 4 given digits, I've found your voice and appearance to be very calm and relaxing, the way you explain the puzzles is also wonderful and I really love how much your passion for it is showing! These videos have really raised my interest in going through Sudokus again, thank you so much for that!

[@daydreamer9080]

Love creators promoting creators, especially content so satisfying! My pattern loving brain was having me point at the screen waiting for you to fill in parts I had solved and confirming that I was correct.

[@lakarto19]

Huge congratulations on the recent surge in views & subscribers! Again, really appreciating the effort to upload two videos every day. Hope to continue seeing more and more great puzzles. This puzzle took me 15:41; Simon's tip to pencil mark extensively when solving knight's move sudokus was definitely helpful.

[@MarcyLee2]

Not even ashamed to be yelling at my screen, cheering whenever Simon pulls some voodoo mystery incorporated deducing to finish the puzzle

[@Iruko]

Congrats on the 100k milestone! Thanks a lot for keeping these vids coming during these strange times; they do bring comfort and let me think about something else, which is very pleasing indeed. Keep it up guys!

[@kingspace1233]

I’m really loving these. Not going to dive in just yet. Happy to watch.

[@stretch520]

Your channel made me enjoy playing Sudoku so much that I bought the Classic Sudoku on steam! Love the videos

[@gregorymorse8423]

The other thing I am learning is how being in a relaxed state of mind is the best way to solve these puzzles. Relax and let your logic and pattern recognition glide. Most people make thinking into a stressful activity when it does not have to be.

[@SuperDuperSaraah]

As a kid I used to absolutely love solving sudoku's, they weren't of the same caliber as the ones you're solving obviously, but coming across this channel and seeing the joy you're radiating of solving the puzzles reminds me I really have to have another go at solving sudoku's. Thank you for the lovely content!

[@PapaTart]

This is the earliest I've been to an episode, love your content!

[@robleduc]

I'm new to this channel and loving it. I've been doing Soduko for years and usually get the books. never tried a Knights move before trying that 4 digit beast yesterday now I'm hooked. Same thing happened when I finally tried Killer Sudoku. Love all your techniques too, X-wing, Sky scrapers and empty rectangle. Adds discipline to my puzzling. Keep up the good work

[@sinantuncay1069]

Congrulations for 100k subs ! I'm so happy to be one of the early subs ! 22:24 on this puzzle !

[@karlezraumali7155]

Just wow. I subscribed just a few weeks ago, and the channel already doubled in numbers. Your channel actually made me install a sudoku app on m phone. Now i'm currently binge watching all your sudoku vids, and it's been really fun. I love your content. It's content that I never knew i needed until i watched it

[@luciddreams4091]

Me: trying to solve the puzzle with him Brain: oOoOo clicky keyboard sounds make happy

[@coryd531]

As someone who has been following the channel for 6+ months and bought the three apps, I am thrilled for your recent growth/exposure. Keep that great content coming. CtC is also enjoyable when there isn’t a pandemic so everyone stay tuned in.

[@PH34RB]

Same boat here, loved the apps, and the growth is well deserved indeed.

[@WoodlandDrake]

Me in the first 5 minutes: "Alright, lets do this, I got my pencil." Me after Simon starts: *throws pencil*

[@listlesslysleepy]

I do sudoku puzzles on long bus rides and when I was bored, but now you’ve genuinely allowed me to see how interesting these puzzles can be! I never knew there were many variations. I would love to try to solve them myself, although I’m not that good.

[@AquaShibby3000]

Yep, the algorithm got me last night and I'm hooked. I would love to see your thoughts on The Witness (I know it's a little different than what you normally do)

[@wangzisworks]

Ahh I love that game.

[@lasinalma]

I am so happy your channel is growing, guys, you truly deserve it. I enjoy terrible doing the sudokus and then listening to you solving them, seeing the different logic, learning from you and see how you delight on the puzzles. I'm glad more and more people will have as much fun as I do!

[@RandomBurfness]

50:05 for me! I made some horrible errors that caused me to backtrack a number of times. But I did it, eventually!

[@jacobsims5848]

You deserve all your views! Excellent program

[@HailG3]

I'm so glad youtube's algorithm finally recommended something of value.

[@DJteeana]

Congratulations guys!!! 100k!! It honestly fills my heart, you deserve it and so much more!!

[@pigcatapult]

tbh y'all're among the top Let's Players keeping me going through the lockdown. I cannot thank you enough.

[@jfish5120]

I’ve always been a fan of sudoku and I’m glad your channel was recommended at this time. I just bought your chess sudoku app so now I have something productive to do, thank you for this!!

[@Mike335is]

Yeah. I'm here because of KZbin algorithms plus covid 19 keeping me home for a month... Now I'm watching every video

[@kostathomas8732]

I've started playing soduku because of your channel! I'm 18 years old and before I've only ever seen it as the game my mum plays when she's bored but this has changed my perspective. I've caught the soduku bug and I couldn't be happier

[@UofMFan628]

tons of comments: saw the 4 digit sudoku and discovered the channel me (feeling smug): been subbed for a WHOLE 5 months lol anyway, another incredible puzzle from Aad. he and phistomel seem to trade the title of my favorite setter with each video.

[@samtravis4822]

Congratulations on your great feat of hitting 100k subscribers! It’s well deserved. Your passion, humility and child-like wonder combine with a baffling intelligence and hard work to make great content. Keep up the good work!

[@dxcaz3715]

26:30 Heres Johnny!!!

[@NoName-ms8jb]

lmao!

[@myndwork]

@@NoName-ms8jb yo that was unexpected and hilarious, also, kinda sweet not gonna lie.

[@chiquita_dave]

Your video "The Second Hardest Sudoku" appeared in my feed about a month ago and I've been completely hooked on Sudoku ever since. I'm glad to see that your channel is growing so fast. You totally deserve it!

[@ivyhearst3554]

At 3:44 he actually starts talking about the puzzle, in case anyone else wants to skip the shout-outs and Patreon plug!

[@hyunbrothers]

Congrats on 100k subs! These videos are really cool and sudoku is a great way to get the brain going during this season. Keep up the good work!

[@stchannel3648]

At 24:50 is it allowed to use "reverse psychology" and deduce that the only square that could resolve the x-wing by the knights move is row 2 col 9, and as it can't be a 2, it's a 7. I've seen this come up in variety of puzzles and wondered if it's okay to use the fact that there is only one solution to the puzzle.

[@tbpotn]

That would basically be solving by uniqueness, which is generally not regarded a nice way and therefore not used if possible.

[@Qazqi]

That tactic will work as long as the assumption that the puzzle has a unique solution holds (and on this channel, that's a really safe assumption). The point of contention there is that there could be a different piece of logic that the setter was hoping you'd find, so by using uniqueness, you might miss out on a little something.

[@PH34RB]

"Uniqueness" is what they call it, and on this channel they try to avoid using it - being meta-knowledge and all. It absolutely works! Purists prefer a fully logical solution so they do their best to oblige. Simon in particular will note it and dutifully find another logical path. Mark sometimes does a few "fast and loose" educated guesses, to speed it up, as rapid solvers are wont to do.

[@malekkabro]

Excuse i dond speak shines

[@xXMajoRnaise]

I found this channel 3 days ago and since then I got a new way to chill down. It‘s so nice!

[@Jett000006]

Nobody: Simon: 🙂

[@ole123able]

Greatful that my recommended page was blessed with one of your videos, i’m totally hooked now

[@matthewharrison6345]

That James Charles shoutout didnt age well………

[@lostprophet8888]

@Cracking The Cryptic: Great and very entertaining content and puzzle - as always! :D So thank you very much to both Jonas and Simon! :) There was another way to resolve the "deadly pattern" of two 2-7 pairs at 24:45, though. The 28 pair in the 8th column can be used to clear the 2-6 pair in the 3x3 block in the top right corner.

[@coryk4974]

Honestly I'm not even sure how I came to this channel but it's pretty awesome and I never knew there was an entire world for puzzles and Sudoku. Thank you for sharing and I am definitely a subscriber now and will continue to watch your content

[@michaelbaker9347]

Huge congrats on all the recent success! Simon and Mark have officially made puzzling entertaining for everyone!

[@ItsSansom]

Found your channel a few months ago through a nonogram website, and been watching almost every day since. Got me right back into sudoku and cryptic crosswords. Congratulations!

[@lemonemmi]

Love it how easy you make these puzzles look. Wanted to try myself before watching this half an hour video, and it took me over 3 hours to complete!

[@lifesnotfair]

Solved it before watching the video, but then watched him solve it to see how he finds things out. Love these puzzles although it frustrates me when I get stuck for several minutes. The author of the video barely ever goes over a minute without placing a new digit, impressive!

[@reneewiley6928]

It’s so relaxing to watch you think through these puzzles. Thanks!

[@pbsmoothie7281]

That 4 digit video got recommended to me randomly. I used to do these in the daily newspaper with my dad when I was a kid! I've since watched so many videos and even downloaded the app on my phone! Thank you!

[@edu4rd0m6]

Just needed to say that your videos are amazing! and also so relaxing to watch!!

[@jonfbanks]

I just discovered you today and this is my new favorite channel. I love love love this content.

[@colleenscott9634]

Took me over an hour with one hint. Thanks for getting me back into these puzzles - would love to see more knight's move challenges!