Expert Sudoku for Thursday, October 1, 2026

Expert 26 clues
0:00
9
2
6
1
4
9
6
8
2
8
7
3
9
1
9
8
2
3
8
1
7
6
3
5
2
4

About This Expert Sudoku Puzzle

This expert Sudoku for Thursday, October 1, 2026 (10/1/2026) starts with 26 given numbers and has exactly one solution. A logic solver places 9 of the 55 empty cells with 3 naked singles, 6 hidden singles and 2 locked-candidates steps before it stalls.

Hardest technique needed: beyond the guides on this site. A solver using singles, locked candidates, pairs, triples, X-Wing, Swordfish and Y-Wing stalls with 46 cells still empty, so expect to need longer chains. The puzzle still has exactly one solution.

Stuck? See the first moves
  1. 9 goes in row 3, column 9: it is the only cell in row 3 that can hold a 9 (hidden single).
  2. 2 goes in row 3, column 5: it is the only cell in row 3 that can hold a 2 (hidden single).
  3. 8 goes in row 5, column 1: it is the only cell in column 1 that can hold an 8 (hidden single).
Show the answer to the October 1, 2026 expert Sudoku
952486713
148973562
367521489
413259678
826734951
579168234
284615397
691347825
735892146

Bold digits are the original clues.

Print This Puzzle

Press Print above for a clean, full-page copy of this grid — no download or sign-up needed. To get all four of this date's levels on one sheet, print the October 1 set with answers, or grab a printable Expert pack with four puzzles and their solutions. Want the answer on paper too? Print this puzzle in large print with its answer key, or print 7 days of Expert puzzles starting on this date.

How to Solve This Puzzle

Click any empty cell and enter a number from 1-9. Use logic to determine which numbers can fit in each cell based on the Sudoku rules: no repeating numbers in any row, column, or 3x3 box. Turn on Notes to pencil in candidates; they are cleared automatically when you place a digit in the same row, column or box. Stuck for good? Show Solution fills in the answer.

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