Astraware Sudoku - It's a different kind of Zen

Step-By-Step Solution:

Initial Grid

                    
First step - add in all possible valid pencilmarks.



For row 4, number 5 is only possible in cell (5,4)









For row 3, number 5 is only possible in cell (6,3)









For row 1, number 5 is only possible in cell (9,1)









For row 2, number 5 is only possible in cell (3,2)









For column 7, Number 8 is only possible in cell (7,2)









For column 9, Number 8 is only possible in cell (9,9)









For row 1, number 4 is only possible in cell (5,1)









For row 9, number 4 is only possible in cell (4,9)









For row 1, number 3 is only possible in cell (8,1)









Number 9 is the only value possible in cell (8,5).









For row 3, number 9 is only possible in cell (7,3)









For column 9, Number 9 is only possible in cell (9,8)









For column 1, Number 9 is only possible in cell (1,9)









For column 4, Number 3 is only possible in cell (4,3)









X-Wing in columns for 6.









For column 5, Number 6 is only possible in cell (5,2)









For blocks 3 and 9, candidates for 6 are all in the same two columns (7 and 8)









Either candidate for cell (9,2) forces 3 into cell (9,5).









Either candidate for cell (9,2) forces 6 into cell (9,6).









Either candidate for cell (5,5) forces 2 into cell (2,9).









Either candidate for cell (2,3) forces 2 into cell (1,2).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (9,2).









Number 2 is the only value possible in cell (9,4).









Either candidate for cell (4,4) forces 7 into cell (3,9).









Number 3 is the only value possible in cell (5,9).









Either candidate for cell (6,1) forces 1 into cell (5,8).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (4,7).









Number 1 is the only value possible in cell (4,4).









Number 6 is the only value possible in cell (3,4).









Number 3 is the only value possible in cell (3,8).









Number 8 is the only value possible in cell (3,6).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (2,5).









Number 6 is the only value possible in cell (2,3).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (1,1).









Number 2 is the only value possible in cell (6,1).









Number 6 is the only value possible in cell (7,1).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (5,3).









Number 2 is the only value possible in cell (8,3).









Number 4 is the only value possible in cell (1,4).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (7,4).









Number 1 is the only value possible in cell (1,5).









Number 8 is the only value possible in cell (5,5).









Number 3 is the only value possible in cell (1,6).









Number 9 is the only value possible in cell (5,6).









Number 7 is the only value possible in cell (6,6).









Number 4 is the only value possible in cell (7,6).









Number 8 is the only value possible in cell (2,7).









Number 1 is the only value possible in cell (3,7).









Number 2 is the only value possible in cell (5,7).









Number 9 is the only value possible in cell (6,7).









Number 6 is the only value possible in cell (8,7).









Number 6 is the only value possible in cell (1,8).









Number 2 is the only value possible in cell (7,8).