[This puzzle comes from the 2022 US Sudoku Grand Prix round. This variation again uses a double eights theme, both with two large eight shapes and a pair of given eights in one corner. I like getting complicated consecutive pair patterns that don’t leave a lot of options for singles in some of the regions, and this double eights pattern achieved this goal well to make a fair but difficult competition puzzle.]

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Theme: Double Eights

Author/Opus: This is the 440th puzzle from Thomas Snyder, aka Dr. Sudoku.

Rules: Standard Consecutive Pairs Sudoku rules. (If a gray circle is given between two adjacent cells, then the two numbers in those cells must be consecutive. Note not all gray circles are given; adjacent cells without a circle may contain either consecutive numbers or nonconsecutive numbers.)

Estimated Difficulty: 3 stars

Solution: PDF

Note: Follow this link for Consecutive Pairs Sudoku puzzles on this website. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Consecutive Pairs Sudoku to get started on. More Consecutive Pairs Sudoku puzzles can be found in The Art of Sudoku 2 and in Masterpiece Sudoku Mix 6: Consecutive Pairs Sudoku.