Futoshiki

Medium Futoshiki uses a 5×5 grid, increasing the digits to 1 through 5 and adding more inequality constraints. The larger grid means naked singles are less frequent and you need to actively use inequality forcing: if A < B, then A cannot be 5 and B cannot be 1.

Cross-elimination between rows and columns becomes important. When you place a digit in one cell, check all cells in the same row and column to see if their candidate lists shrink. Look for hidden singles: if digit 3 can only go in one cell within a row, place it there.

Ready for larger grids? Try hard.