Daily puzzle for Friday, October 9, 2026
This is the Puzzledoku daily Queens puzzle from Friday, October 9, 2026. Find the eight hidden puppies: one in each row, one in each column and one in each color region, with no two puppies touching, not even diagonally. This page keeps the same board for this date. Play it here, or open the solution below when you are ready.
Your first solve for Oct 9, 2026 is saved on this device. You can replay the puzzle, but replays do not replace that first result. The Share button includes this date's permanent link, so friends can try the same board later.
Every daily puzzle has exactly one solution and can be solved with logic alone. If you get stuck, the Hint item explains the next step in plain words. New to the game? Read how to play first, or warm up with thelevels.
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Opening deductions for Oct 9, 2026
By Puzzledoku · Reviewed October 9, 2026 against this exact board.
Read three opening deductions without the full answer
Start with an unmarked board. Rows run from top to bottom and columns from left to right, starting at 1. Apply these steps in order; none places a puppy or reveals the full answer.
Reserve row 5
Candidates: row 5, column 7; row 5, column 8.
The two-cell color region at the right edge lies entirely in row 5. Its puppy must go in column 7 or 8 of that row. Therefore row 5, columns 1–6 cannot hold a puppy, even though neither candidate has been chosen.
Cross out: row 5, column 1; row 5, column 2; row 5, column 3; row 5, column 4; row 5, column 5; row 5, column 6.
Compare both candidates before placing anything
Candidates: row 5, column 7; row 5, column 8.
Row 5 now has only two candidates. If the puppy goes in column 7, the listed cells in column 7 share its column and those in column 8 touch it. If it goes in column 8, the same argument works with the columns swapped. All four cells are forbidden in either case.
Cross out: row 4, column 7; row 4, column 8; row 6, column 7; row 6, column 8.
Use the same test on the top-right region
Candidates: row 1, column 7; row 1, column 8; row 2, column 7.
This color can use row 1, column 7; row 1, column 8; or row 2, column 7. Row 1, column 6 shares a row with the first two options and touches the third. Row 2, column 8 touches both row-1 options and shares a row with the third. Both cells are impossible whichever candidate is correct.
Cross out: row 1, column 6; row 2, column 8.
Now scan the affected rows, columns and colors again. Look for a single remaining cell or another group confined to a line before trying a longer “what if” chain.
For the general method behind these moves, read Queens puzzle strategy.
Show the solution for Oct 9, 2026
Rows and columns are numbered from the top-left corner, starting at 1.
- Row 1: column 5.
- Row 2: column 7.
- Row 3: column 1.
- Row 4: column 4.
- Row 5: column 8.
- Row 6: column 2.
- Row 7: column 6.
- Row 8: column 3.
Past daily puzzles
The archive starts on October 8, 2026. Each dated link keeps its original board and a folded solution; opening notes are available for reviewed dates only. Return to the current daily puzzle.