The name "Sudoku" is the Japanese abbreviation of a longer phrase, "Suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru", meaning "the digits must remain single". It is a trademark of puzzle publisher Nikoli Co. Ltd in Japan.

The numerals in Sudoku puzzles are used for convenience; arithmetic relationships between numerals are irrelevant. Any set of distinct symbols will do; letters, shapes, or colours may be used without altering the rules The attraction of the puzzle is that the rules are simple, yet the line of reasoning required to reach the solution may be complex. Sudoku is recommended by some teachers as an exercise in logical reasoning. The level of difficulty of the puzzles can be selected to suit the audience. The puzzles are often available free from published sources and may also be custom-generated using software.

How to Play

The puzzle is most frequently a 9*9 grid, made up of 3*3 subgrids called "regions" (other terms include "boxes", "blocks", and the like when referring to the standard variation; even "quadrants" is sometimes used, despite this being an inaccurate term for a 9*9 grid). Some cells already contain numerals, known as "givens" (or sometimes as "clues"). The goal is to fill in the empty cells, one numeral in each, so that each column, row, and region contains the numerals 1–9 exactly once. Each numeral in the solution therefore occurs only once in each of three "directions" or "scopes", hence the "single numbers" implied by the puzzle's name.

First solve the Sudoku puzzle above, then replace the letters in the coordinates with the corresponding puzzle solution numbers.

While you're here, check out the Marketplace, open 9 am-8 pm. There is a roving security guard and plenty of customers during business hours so please be aware and feel free to use the hint. Because of the topography here, coords were slow to settle, but they always ended up here eventually.

Additional Hints Hints

3/12/2007 by Clue Seeker
9:38 pm - One last cache, outside my hotel to boot! Thanks O.C.

After 14.25 miles and 24 finds on foot it's time to rest. $0.79/cache. Elapsed time caching 7+08.

2/18/2007 by dgreno
Had to time things so that I could make the grab between passing cars, but managed to nail it without being seen.

2/9/2007 by Syd and Dain
Snuck up on this one. We had muggles above us eating lunch. Thanks for the clever puzzle. TN L bottle shaped key chain. I think it was a sake bottle. SL TFTC

1/23/2007 by Captain Snow
Great location, fun cache. Thanks

1/18/2007 by Smoochersmom
I would have done this one sooner had I realized the real coordinates were so close to my work Pay attention class!! At 7am there were just a couple worker type muggles but I can see how it could be swarming with 'em. SLTNLN Thx 4 the early morning, prework cache!!

1/9/2007 by littledebbie
ha ha.....someone forgot he solved this puzzle already. we just needed to follow the coords. a fun night out in south county. thankfully no police activity for us tonight. tftc. :)

1/9/2007 by sightunseen
Lil'D helped with the puzzle. Even though this smarty pants already solved it. Sometimes I need that "easy button" for the find. Also, a ""Fuzzless" night for the stalkers! TFTC+Puzzle.

12/2/2006 by rc goat
Solved puzzle fuond Cache. This is my first mystery/puzzle Cache. Very busy locaion on a weekend. had to park a block away. took Token left slynke. TFTC!

11/21/2006 by Doggleboone
Wow, nice sized cache in the midst of HEAVY traffic area...once again- well done H & S! TNLNSL

11/12/2006 by nonaeroterraqueous
Wow! Intense! We've never seen such a high muggle factor. I'm not sure how to be stealthy enough here. Been meaning to check this place out for a while. Very nice. Lots of stuff I couldn't identify. We must develop a strategy for this cache, though.

Hints
It's under the bottom stair.