Decabit Software
XY-Wing

Look for a cell with exactly two candidates, XY. If there are two cells, XZ and YZ, that both share a unit with XY, then we can be certain that either XZ or YZ will contain the value Z. So, we can remove the candidate Z from the intersection of XZ and YZ.

Consider the sudoku below.

1
4
4 5
1
5

The cell r2c6 can take the role of XY, where X = 4 and Y = 5. Subsequently, The cell r2c4 shares the common candidate 4, and can take the role of XZ, where Z = 1. The cell r9c6 then exactly fits the role of YZ with the candidates 5 and 1. Therefore, either r2c4 or r9c6 must contain the digit 1. So we can remove the candidate 1 from the intersection of r2c4 and r9c6.

Note: The intersection of two cells is defined as all cells that share a unit with both cells.
Copyright©2025 Decabit Software
Last Updated: CST