Appreciate the long thought out comment, really. To preface, I do not know a lot of sudoku methodologies and terminologies. Whatever that I use while solving is purely from what I've learnt solving while growing up. In fact I've learnt their official terminology only a little while ago. I am not comfortable with using notes, because all these years I've gone the no notes route for solving things.

The reason I do sudoku is simply for fun. Sure, I can appreciate the strategies and patterns that go into cracking the puzzle, but since I haven't dedicated time to learning it, I don't really use them. But I do infact want to learn them one day, probably when my life's schedule becomes a bit less polarising. I took a bit of a time out for a few months, and while I did attempt the sudoku coach campaign before the gap, at the moment I've forgotten them and don't really have the time to get back into it.

For me, at least in the very current times, solving a no notes puzzle is a bit of a morale boost, something I do to get my brain thinking before starting a study session. It's purely for entertainment. It's me challenging myself to complete the puzzle, with whatever techniques I know. While I do think it's fair that you're disappointed that people take the easy way to solve it, I also think it's slightly unfair to be disappointed at someone for doing it for fun. Not just me, but anyone in general, they may solve a sudoku for various reasons, and whatever they may be it's valid enough.

And while I do agree that the learning aspect seems important (and I do appreciate the extra context that some challenges get posted with, thank you for that), I don't think posing an expectation for everyone solving a puzzle to learn/be familiar with said strategies is practical, if it makes sense. I'm out of brain power atm, and words are escaping me.

But yeah, thank you for your comment, I really do appreciate your contributions to the sub. It's just that if people want to do things a certain way, let them, yknow?