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I started solving the puzzle below and I got stuck at this point. I don't know how to continue solving this puzzle except using try and error. Does anyone know of a strategy to solve it?

enter image description here

lois6b
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MBS
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1 Answers1

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First of all, if you decide to use a sudoku solver online to assist you (I recommend this one as it shows you the steps to solve it as well as having other pages explaining many sudoku solving techniques), here's your sudoku which you can just copy and paste:

792538641154000837368471295815249376647153982239867514083010009006080103001300008

I've already suggested reading up on the XY-wing technique in the comments as it will help you proceed onto the next step in this sudoku (in this case, more specifically, the Y wing). I also recommend writing all possibilities into the cells if you're really stuck as it can help you spot these techniques easier (although as you become a better solver, being able to spot them without doing so saves time).

If you still can't do it, I've included how it is used in the spoiler below:

(I've used the solver recommended above to make these screenshots)

Here is the sudoku with all of the possibilities written in:

image 1

Here is the Y-wing:

image 2

The logic:

J2: 2 $\implies$ H2: 7 and J5: 9 $\implies$ no possibilities in H4.

H6: 2 $\implies$ H2: 7 and J5: 9 $\implies$ no possibilities in H4.

Therefore, neither J2 nor H6 can be a 2, eliminating those possibilities from the cells. You can now fill in J2 and continue to solve the puzzle.

Shuri2060
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  • thank you. I wrote all the possibilities and try to solve it but I didn't understand the x-y wing until you explain it – MBS Aug 12 '16 at 11:39