GridWits
Easy tier Technique 5 of 18 Used by Smart Hint

Forced Expansion

An island blocked everywhere but one open cell has no other way to grow — that cell joins it.

How it works

  1. 1The 4 has only itself so far, so it still has to grow three more cells somewhere.
  2. 2It sits on the top edge, and sea already blocks it to the left and below.
  3. 3That leaves exactly one open neighbor, so the island has no choice — that cell is land.
4 2
  • Island (land)
  • Sea
  • Cells that establish the pattern
  • Where the conclusion lands
Next in the ladder No 2×2 Sea →

Three sea cells already forming an L would complete a 2×2 block — the last cell must be land.