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Advanced Sudoku Strategy: X-Wing & Double X-Wing techniques

Advanced Sudoku Strategy: X-Wing & Double X-Wing techniques

When a Sudoku board stops moving and no obvious number appears, the X Wing pattern is one of the most reliable ways to break through. It helps you remove extra candidates, clear the clutter in the grid, and find new answers without guessing. Once you understand how to see these four matching spots across rows or columns, the puzzle becomes much easier to control.

The X Wing idea is simple. A number appears in the same two positions across two rows or two columns. These four cells form a clean shape that lets you remove the same number from every other spot in those lines. The moment those candidates disappear, new openings appear in the grid.

Use X-Wing Strategy to clear the board

X-Wing Strategy Example 1

Below is the first example from Image 1, explained step by step:

  1. Look for a number that appears several times but only has two possible places in two matching rows.
  2. Check if these two positions line up in the same pair of columns.
  3. When they match, the number must sit in one of those two columns.
  4. Remove all other candidates of that number inside those columns and watch the board open up.

Solve Advenced Sudoku with Double X-Wing Techniques

Double X-Wing Strategy Example 2

After clearing the first pattern, a second one sometimes shows up. This is known as a double X Wing and often happens in tougher puzzles. Image 2 shows this moment clearly:

  1. The earlier cleanup creates a new pair of matching positions for the same number.
  2. These fresh spots line up in a clean pattern across two new rows.
  3. Because they match again, the number cannot appear anywhere else in the same columns.
  4. Remove all remaining candidates and fill the yellow cell that becomes the only correct place.

Players enjoy this method because it feels calm, steady and safe. It avoids guessing, reduces clutter, and gives a clear next step when nothing seems to work.

If you want to practice the X Wing and double X Wing pattern, try these levels:

Take your time, look for matching pairs, and remove the extra candidates. With a little practice, these patterns will become some of the most useful tools in your solving mix.