GridWits
Hard tier Technique 11 of 20 Used by Smart Hint

X-Wing

A value's only two candidate cells line up in the same two columns (or rows) across two rows (or columns) — eliminate it everywhere else in those columns or rows.

How it works

  1. 1In row 1 and row 3, digit 4 has only two possible columns: column 2 and column 4.
  2. 2Each of those rows must place one 4. Whichever row uses column 2 forces the other row to use column 4, forming the four corners of an X-Wing.
  3. 3Those two columns have their 4s reserved by the pattern rows, so remove 4 from the same columns in every other row — including both marked cells in row 5.
1 4 2 4 3 4 4 5 2 4 1 4
  • Candidates this technique rules out
  • Cells read together — The connecting line shows which cells combine to make the deduction.
  • Conclusion — The coloured candidate, or the final arrow when it lands outside the pattern, shows the result.
Next in the ladder Hidden Quad →

Four values only fit in the same four cells of a row or column — strip those cells down to just those four.