Sudoku Strategies: From Beginner to Advanced
Master logical techniques to solve puzzles faster and more confidently. Start with singles, then level up to patterns like X-Wing and Swordfish.
Beginner Techniques
Naked Singles
Only one candidate fits a cell after scanning its row, column, and box.
Hidden Singles
A digit appears as a candidate in only one cell of a unit (row/col/box).
Cross-Hatching
Use row/column eliminations to locate digits inside a 3×3 box.
Intermediate Techniques
Naked/Hidden Pairs
Two cells share the same two candidates; remove those from peers.
Pointing Pairs/Triples
Candidates confined to one line within a box can be removed along that line.
Box-Line Reduction
Lines restrict candidates in boxes; eliminate elsewhere inside the box.
Advanced Techniques
X-Wing
Rows/columns form a rectangle pattern enabling candidate eliminations.
Swordfish
An extension of X-Wing across three lines for deeper eliminations.
Coloring/Chains
Track candidate parity across links to identify contradictions.