International Sudoku Day 2025
The Fascinating History of Sudoku: From Numbers to a Global Phenomenon
When most people hear the word Sudoku, they immediately think of neat grids of numbers in newspapers, apps, or puzzle books. But where did this mathematical game come from, and how did it become the worldwide favourite it is today?
Early Beginnings
Although Sudoku is often associated with Japan, its roots go back further. The concept of number-placement puzzles can be traced to 18th-century Switzerland, where mathematician Leonhard Euler invented Latin Squares—grids where numbers or symbols appear only once in each row and column.
The Modern Puzzle Emerges
The modern version of Sudoku as we know it was first published in the late 1970s by an American puzzle creator, Howard Garns. It appeared in the puzzle magazine Dell Pencil Puzzles and Word Games under the name Number Place.
Japan Popularises the Puzzle
In the 1980s, the puzzle was introduced to Japan, where it was given the name Sudoku, short for Suji wa dokushin ni kagiru (“the numbers must be single”). The Japanese quickly embraced it, and Sudoku became a staple of newspapers and puzzle books.
Global Craze
Sudoku went global in the early 2000s, thanks to British newspaper The Times, which began publishing the puzzles daily. The game quickly spread worldwide, becoming one of the most popular logic-based number puzzles ever created.
Why Sudoku Matters in Maths Learning
Beyond being a fun pastime, Sudoku nurtures important mathematical skills:
Logical reasoning – every step involves deductive thinking.
Pattern recognition – identifying possibilities and ruling out contradictions.
Concentration & perseverance – working through challenging puzzles builds resilience.
Today, Sudoku is more than just a game—it’s a mental workout loved by millions, and a wonderful way to sharpen thinking skills for learners of all ages.
