Sudoku technique · First needed at: Master
Remote pairs
A chain of the same two numbers alternates, so the ends differ — clear both from anything seeing both ends.
An example from a real puzzle
- The cells that make the pattern
- Candidates it removes
How to spot it
- Find a chain of cells that all hold the same two candidates, each one seeing the next.
- Along the chain the two numbers alternate.
- A cell that sees two chain cells an odd number of steps apart cannot hold either number.
Why it works
Two cells an odd number of steps apart always end up with different numbers of the pair, so between them they cover both.
Sova teaches Remote pairs inside the game — and gives you puzzles to practise it on. Free on iPhone and iPad.
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