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Sudoku strategy guide

XYZ-Wing: make all three cells share one digit

An XYZ-Wing uses an XYZ pivot with two wings XZ and YZ. Both wings see the pivot, and all three cells contain Z.

Key idea

At least one of the three pattern cells must be Z, so Z can be removed from any cell that sees all three.

See the move, step by step

Build a 6/7/8 XYZ-Wing entirely inside box 1.

Step 1 of 4

Start from a three-candidate pivot

R1C1 contains 6, 7, and 8. Look for two peers that each hold Z plus one other pivot digit.

Shared box

Step 2 of 4

Match the two wings

R1C2 is 6/7 and R2C2 is 7/8. Candidate 7 appears in the pivot and both wings.

Shared boxXYZ-Wing cells

Step 3 of 4

Use the common peer intersection

R2C3 sees all three pattern cells, so it cannot contain their shared candidate 7.

XYZ-WingCandidate to remove

Step 4 of 4

Preserve the unresolved wing

Only the shared 7 is removed from R2C3; the pivot and wings still need another deduction.

XYZ-WingUpdated target

Try it on today's puzzle

Unlike an XY-Wing, the target must see the pivot and both wings. Check that intersection before making an elimination.

Play today