Kakuro

Easy kakuro uses small grids (6 to 8 cells per side) with short entries of 2 to 3 cells. The small entry sizes mean each clue has very few valid digit combinations. A 2-cell entry with sum 3 can only be 1+2. A 2-cell entry with sum 17 can only be 8+9. These forced combinations give you free placements from the start.

At this level, the main technique is working through entries one at a time. Find entries with only one valid combination, place those digits, then see how the new information narrows candidates in crossing entries. The small grid size means you're never far from another forced placement.

Once easy puzzles take you under 5 minutes, move to medium.