Monodoku's Queens-style puzzle guide

A color owns a line

A color's openings can all lie in one row or column. You may not know the exact square yet, but you can rule out other colors in that line.

Try the example

Reading the board / 05

Work through the board

A REAL MONODOKU POSITION4 × 4

Outlines show the reason. Rings show the next move.
Small numbers identify matching colors.

Step 1 of 7

This color needs one animal. The outlined squares are its remaining openings.

When to use it

Find a color whose remaining openings all fall in one row or one column. Its animal must use that line, so you can mark openings of every other color in that line with Xs.

What to watch for

This reserves a line without choosing an exact square. Keep every still-possible square of the reserving color open. The deduction rules out other colors in that line.

Read the full explanation

This color needs one animal. The outlined squares are its remaining openings.
Every opening is in column 1. This column is reserved for that color's animal.
Other colors cannot use this column. Mark the ringed squares with Xs.
The Xs are in place. Now look at the remaining openings.
This color has only one square left.
Place an animal in the ringed square.
The monkey belongs in row 1, column 2.

Examples use the game's own hint engine. A test placement is temporary; only the proven move is applied.

The same reasoning applies to other Queens-style games, including Meowdoku, with one animal or queen per row, column and color, and no touching, even diagonally.

You'll learn as you play

No need to memorize it all.

Begin with the basics. Monodoku introduces new techniques with a visual lesson when you need them. Hints explain the reasoning, one step at a time.

Try your first puzzle

Play the full game on your phone