LEVEL 8

XY-Chain

A chain of bivalue cells links matching endpoint candidates.

How to find it

  1. Start with a bivalue cell and follow shared candidates.
  2. Alternate through bivalue peers without breaking the chain.
  3. Eliminate the endpoint candidate from common peers.

Candidate-map demonstration

The violet cells mark the pattern and the gold cell marks the resulting placement or elimination. Treat this compact map as orientation; use the verified full puzzle below to practise the actual deduction.

Common mistakes

  • Using cells that do not share the required row, column, box or peer relationship.
  • Removing a candidate before confirming every occurrence in the pattern.
  • Confusing a possible pattern with a completed logical proof.

VERIFIED PRACTICE

XY-Chain training

Loading a mathematically verified puzzle state…

Apply this technique in a real puzzle