Sudoku strategies explained with graphics

Strategies


Overview Singles Naked Pairs Naked Triples Hidden Pairs Hidden Triples Naked Quads Hidden Quads Pointing Pair Pointing Triple Box Reduction X-Wing Finned X-Wing Sashimi Finned X-Wing Franken X-Wing Finned Mutant X-Wing Skyscraper Chute Remote Pairs Simple Coloring Y-Wing W-Wing Swordfish Finned Swordfish Sashimi Finned Swordfish Franken Swordfish Mutant Swordfish Finned Mutant Swordfish Sashimi Finned Mutant Swordfish Sue De Coq XYZ-Wing X-Cycle Bi-Value Universal Grave XY-Chain 3D Medusa Jellyfish Jellyfish Jellyfish Avoidable Rectangle Unique Rectangle Hidden Unique Rectangle WXYZ-Wing Firework Subset Exclusion Empty Rectangle Sue De Coq Extended SK Loop Exocet Almost Locked Sets Alternating Inference Chain Digit Forcing Chains Nishio Forcing Chains Cell Forcing Chains Unit Forcing Chains Almost Locked Sets Forcing Chain Death Blossom Pattern Overlay Bowman Bingo



X-Wing


If a particular candidate is present in only two Cells in two Rows and if these Cells belong to the same Columns (forming the corners of a rectangle), then whichever Cell the candidate is the solution for in the first Row, the candidate must be the solution for the Cell of the second Row that is located in the other Column (diagonally in the rectangle).

As this candidate must be the solution in two opposed corners of the rectangle, it can not be the solution anywhere else in these Columns.

The reasoning is also applicable when you replace "Row" by "Column" and "Column" by "Row".


X-Wing

In the example above if candidate 9 is the solution in B4, then it can not be the solution in any other cells in Column "4" and it must be the solution in H7 which implies that it can not be the solution in any other cells in Column "7". Conversely, if it is the solution in B7, then it can not be the solution in any other cells in Column "7" and it must be the solution in H4 which implies that it can not be the solution in any other cells in Column "4".



You can practice this strategy by installing the SudokuCoach application on your Android™ device.

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