Monodoku's Queens-style puzzle guide

What an animal rules out

Every animal takes up its row, column and color. Its neighbors are off limits too, including diagonals. Use Xs to keep track.

Try the example

The basics / 01

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 6

This animal rules out its row, column, color, and touching squares. Mark those squares with Xs.

When to use it

After placing an animal, mark the rest of its row, column and color with Xs. Mark every touching square too, including the four diagonals. This makes the next deduction easier to see.

What to watch for

Only neighboring diagonal squares are excluded. A distant square on the same diagonal can still hold an animal if its row, column and color allow it.

Read the full explanation

This animal rules out its row, column, color, and touching squares. Mark those squares with Xs.
Mark the ringed squares with Xs.
The Xs are in place. Now look at the remaining openings.
Column 2 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.

Try your first puzzle

Play the full game on your phone