The New York Times Will Shortz Presents Challenging KenKen: 300 Logic Puzzles That Make You Smarter

by The New York Times, Tetsuya Miyamoto, Will Shortz (Introduction), KenKen Puzzle, LLC

Overview

KenKen has quickly become the successor to sudoku that the world's been waiting for! KenKen became the first puzzles to be printed in the daily editions of the New York Times next to its famous crossword puzzle.

This New York Times edition of KenKen contains 300 fearsome challenging puzzles, grid sizes ranging from 4x4 to 7x7, with "How to Solve" instructions and an introduction by puzzlemaster Will Shortz. The puzzles use all four mathematical operations and increase in difficulty, like they do in the Times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312645007
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/22/2010
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	7.42(w) x 5.16(h) x 1.04(d)

About the Author

Since the launch of The Crossword in 1942, The New York Times has captivated solvers by providing engaging word and logic games. For generations, The Times’ crossword has been considered the gold standard for puzzlers of all skill levels. In 2014, New York Times Games added The Mini Crossword, followed by popular digital games Wordle, Spelling Bee, Connections, and Strands.

Tetsuya Miyamoto, the creator of KenKen, is a math teacher. He developed KenKen to help his student develop their calculation and logic skills. He runs a unique mathematics class for grade school children in Japan where he practices “The Art of Teaching Without Teaching.” His teaching method and use of KenKen in his classroom have proven extremely successful. His students regularly go on to be accepted at the most prestigious schools in Tokyo.

Will Shortz has been the crossword puzzle editor of The New York Times since 1993. He is also the puzzlemaster on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday and is founder and director of the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. He has edited countless books of crossword puzzles, Sudoku, KenKen, and all manner of brain-busters.

KenKen was developed in 2004 by acclaimed Japanese mathematics instructor Tetsuya Miyamoto. His goal was to improve his students' math and logic skill, so he developed a puzzle that would be understandable, fun, and challenging for any level of student. Most importantly, he wanted the puzzle to encourage independent thinking, emphasizing trial and error, concentration, and perseverance.

His methods and puzzle were immediately successful. It quickly became a favorite leisure activity for all ages throughout Japan and then for millions of players worldwide. In 2008, KenKen came to the United States. Soon, it was the first daily feature since the crossword puzzle to appear in The New York Times.

Whether in the classroom, on the beach, waiting for a bus, standing atop a mountain—anywhere you might be—KenKen is always stimulating your brain. It's the puzzle that makes you smarter!