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

Af Michel

Sudoku a Day Blog ·

XYZ-Wing er et Sudoku-mønster med tre celler, hvor en pivotcelle arbejder sammen med to pincerceller. Når kandidatparrene passer, kan enhver celle der ser begge pincere, sikkert miste det fælles tal.

Brug teknikken efter singles, låste kandidater og enklere par; den er især nyttig på svære opgaver, hvor én præcis eliminering kan åbne resten af gitteret.

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.