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



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Skyscraper


If a particular candidate is present in only two Cells in two Rows and if one Cell in the first Row and one Cell in the second Row belong to the same Column, then this candidate can not be the solution in the Cells that see the other two Cells.

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


Skyscraper

In the example above

  • if candidate 1 is the solution in C1, then it must be the solution in H5, which eliminates it from B2, among others
  • if it is the solution in H1, then it must be the solution in B6, which again eliminates it from F2, among others
  • if it is the solution in C6 or in H5, then it is directly eliminated in B2.



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

Get it on Google Play

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