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Sudoku fans: Try these gnarly KenKen puzzles

<i>The New York Times</i> offers modest-sized KenKen puzzles, but Sudoku fans looking for a larger-scale challenge now have a new online option.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
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Stephen Shankland
6x6 KenKen puzzle
A relatively easy 6x6 KenKen puzzle. Click puzzle to see a larger version, and click here to see solution. (c)2009 Gakken Co. Ltd. and TM Nextoy, LLC, used under license

Sudoku can get pretty tough. But if you're looking for fresh pastures, KenKen puzzles offer a new challenge.

The only problem for me: The New York Times' online KenKen site offers only 6x6 puzzles.

However, Nextoy, the company that distributes KenKen puzzles outside Japan, has spruced up its official KenKen Web site with considerably larger sizes--7x7, 8x8, and 9x9. The sites use the same Flash-based interface as The New York Times' puzzles, which NextToy supplies.

Nextoy President Robert Fuhrer said the puzzles are updated daily. For now, each is of medium difficulty, though larger puzzles are harder in general.

If you're not familiar with the puzzles, I wrote a KenKen introduction earlier this month. Basically, they have some similarities to Sudoku, but require basic math as well as logic. I find them to be a better-rounded challenge than either Sudoku or Kakuro.