My latest puzzle love: KenKen
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My first infatuation was with Sudoku. Then my attentions moved to Kakuro. Now, though, I have a big crush on KenKen.
No, I'm not talking about marital infidelity involving various Japanese women. I'm talking about a series of logic puzzles that have made their way from that country to U.S. newspapers, Web sites, and mobile phones.
A relatively simple 4x4 KenKen puzzle. Click here to see solution.(Credit: (c)2009 Gakken Co. Ltd. and TM Nextoy, LLC, used under license)
Though Sudoku certainly hasn't reached the level of ubiquity of crossword puzzles, it is certainly widespread. The 9-by-9 grids--each of the 81 cells must be populated with the numbers 1 to 9, according to the rules--can be found far beyond newspaper pages. Airport books promote the puzzles to travelers who need to kill time, and you can even pay for a four-week Sudoku course.
You can also play randomized 4×4 and 6×6 games online at
http://www.webkendoku.com
There are also Google Gadgets that you can add to any webpage including your iGoogle Homepage at
http://www.googleminiapps.com/fun-games/play-4×4-kendoku-and-kenken-online-gadget/
http://www.googleminiapps.com/fun-games/play-6×6-kendoku-and-kenken-online-gadget/