xwordoku

this puzzle uses 9 letters instead of numbers. the diagonals (reading left to right) spell words related to the puzzle's theme.

you'll have to figure out the words in order to solve the puzzle!

in the completed puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 square will contain all 9 letters. (the diagonals do not necessarily contain all 9 letters - each word can use the same letter more than once.)

astute readers will note this puzzle has only eight letters visible... that's to make it slightly more taxing for those of us who are good at anagrams.

(ever since I created this puzzle I have been trying to come up with another pair of words that I can use to make another. that's turning out to be a lot harder than it looks. it's easier to find two unrelated words that fit the grid - but I really want to keep the two words mutually clue-able, so they havce to fit the same theme.

I may have to rethink this variant just to make it possible to create more puzzles. I do like the idea of combining word skills with sudoku - hopefully I can come up with something along these lines in the near future. watch this space.)