NYTimes.com has the Best Free Online Sudoku

I'm surprised by the number of mediocre and downright poor versions of the Puzzle game Sudoku that exist online. I've looked around for better interfaces but one stands way out ahead of the rest - the NYTimes.com version. It's published in Easy, Medium, and Hard versions. They seem to be updated daily at around 8:00 pm EST, except on Saturdays.

What makes this version so superior is it's keyboard integration and the tools it offers. The ability to put small numbers in the boxes to indicate possibilities for solution is a must for solving all but the easiest Sudokus, yet it's a rarity online. On the NYTimes version, this is possible by holding down the CTRL key and entering a number. It also offers a pencil tool, so that the numbers appear lighter, a timer, and several help tools that can be used or ignored.

The only version I've seen that comes close is the Washington Post version, here. I see that version as inferior because it's not as easy to navigate with the keyboard, it won't allow you to make certain mistakes such as placing two numbers in the same row, and it includes distracting visual effects.

So, other Sudoku fans? Use the comments to recommend your favourite online versions.