Tough Sudoku for 7/August/2009

Today's puzzle is a bit tougher than the cream-puffs that we have had the last few days. I decided to blog it. A link to my solution to today's puzzle in the blog that Gath so graciously lets me host here can be found in the upper part of the right column of this page. It is listed under "check out the sudoku blog", and named with little imagination referring to today's tough puzzle.

Have a great day/night, everyone!

I love the red rock and earth of Utah ... but, man, are the stains ever hard to get out of your socks!

Lovely, Wilodene.

I think that it will be a good idea, to go to the casino!!!

1. Note pairs 19 at h1/i2;29 at a8/b9.Unique possibilities to 36.
2. If h5=6=b6,b2=1.If h4=6,h1=1 also makes b2=1.UPs to 40.
3. This sequence is very long: If i7=2,i8=4,c8=8=g9,h9=5=g4,h4=6,f4=4 (9 at f4 would create an 89 rectangle at de17),f3=6=e6=c5,b6=3=c1,c2=5,d2=4,d9=2, and the central box is devoid of 2.So i7=4.UPs to 54.
4. If e4=4,the "super" rectangle of 569 at aeh45 could not be resolved.Hence f4=4.UPs to 81.

We were out in Colorado on the motorcycle about 19 years ago and it was such an enjoyable ride. (Even though it rained everyday, the scenery was very nice!)

My step 4. was unnecesary.After step 3.,f1 becomes 5 and UPs to 81.

>> 1hr came back to this one after 2 days later to fininsh

47:20

SE=8.3