Monodoku's Queens-style puzzle guide

Colors share a set of lines

Two colors confined to two rows need both rows. Three colors in three columns need all three. Other colors cannot use those reserved lines.

Try the example

Reading the board / 07

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

Each outlined color needs one animal. These 2 colors need 2 animals altogether.

When to use it

Look for two colors whose openings fit entirely within the same two rows, or three colors confined to three columns. Each color needs its own animal and each line has room for one, so those lines are fully reserved.

What to watch for

Count the distinct rows or columns across all colors in the set. The number of reserved lines must equal the number of colors. Keep the colors' own openings; eliminate other colors from the reserved lines.

Read the full explanation

Each outlined color needs one animal. These 2 colors need 2 animals altogether.
All their openings are in columns 3, 4. Those 2 columns are reserved for these 2 animals.
Other colors cannot use these columns. 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 4, 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.

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