There is a new game combined from the principles of the popular Sudoku puzzle and the simple, yet deceiving, 15 puzzle of the 1880s. As such, the game is called Sudo15 (for the 4 by 4 size) but in general is called SudoSlide.

SudoSlide was invented by Kung-Ming Tiong, a lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and its dynamics were analyzed together with a student, Yen-Peng Lee.

The idea for SudoSlide began around April 2006 and its analysis was completed in October 2006. The publication of the academic article on SudoSlide, which describes its game characteristics and some methods of play appeared in March, 2008 in the Game Journal http://www.gamejournal.org/game_journal_index_2008.php.

SudoSlide was also briefly introduced at a Science Carnival held at the School of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah in March 2008. And recently, one of the authors (Kung-Ming Tiong) talked to Mr. Balasingam of sudoku.com.my and was invited to write this short description on SudoSlide.

The SudoSlide provides ample opportunities for challenging casual as well as expert Sudoku players. It offers a whole new perspective of Sudoku. While Sudoku involves logical thinking, SudoSlide introduces the element of spatial intelligence. Players need to change the permutation (the arrangement) of the numbers by sliding the numbers (horizontally and vertically) to obtain a required Sudoku pattern. Sounds simple, but not quite.

Try it. You?ll be amazed how fun (and challenging) it is.

The 4 by 4 SudoSlide is suitable for young children aged perhaps from 4-7 years old. Adults will be challenged by the 9 by 9 SudoSlide.

Tell us if you like SudoSlide. There may be plans to have a SudoSlide competition sometime in the near future. You may convey your interest and comments to info@sudoku.com.my.

NOTE from Sudoku.com.my: We were privileged to meet Mr Kung-Ming Tiong and pleased to be introduced to this variation of Sudoku. Congratulations to Mr Tiong and his student, Yen-Peng Lee on this invention. We believe that they have come up with an interesting and innovative invention, particularly the 4 x 4 SudoSlide for the age group 4 to 7, which would develop their Spatial Intelligence. The 9 x 9 SudoSlide will definitely be another variation to interest the 7 to 70 age group who will have the added benefit of grappling with Logic and Spatial Intelligence in the same puzzle.

The fact that the Game Journal has published the article on this invention merits the attention of Sudoku Enthusiasts. We look forward to your comments.

A short introduction to the Game Journal below:

The Game Journal aims to provide new insights, opinions and applications into key issues and subjects that are emerging and are of contemporary interest. The Game Journal encourages publishing articles that point out time honored ideas for games & game theory, as well as modern thoughts and concepts.