XYZ-Wing Sudoku Technique: How to Spot and Use It Step by Step

By Michel

Sudoku a Day Blog ·

XYZ-Wing is a three-cell Sudoku pattern that connects one pivot cell with two pincers. When the candidate sets line up correctly, any cell that sees both pincers can lose the shared digit safely.

Use it after singles, locked candidates, and simpler pair techniques; it is especially useful on hard puzzles where one precise elimination can open the grid.

XYZ-Wing workflow

  1. Pick one digit and scan rows (or columns) only.
  2. Find exactly three rows where the candidate appears in two or three cells.
  3. Verify those candidates align to exactly three columns total.
  4. Eliminate that digit from other cells in those three columns.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Mixing row-based and column-based XYZ-Wing scans in the same step.
  • Forcing a pattern when candidates occupy more than three lines.
  • Eliminating inside the pattern cells instead of outside them.

FAQ

When should I use XYZ-Wing in Sudoku?

Use XYZ-Wing after singles, locked candidates, and simpler pair/triple techniques are exhausted on hard or expert puzzles.

Is XYZ-Wing just a bigger X-Wing?

Yes. X-Wing uses two lines and two columns; XYZ-Wing extends the same logic to three lines and three columns.