Practice: XY-Wing Sudoku Technique

Ready to put the XY-Wing technique into action? This page is designed for you to practice and master XY-Wing patterns with real Sudoku puzzles.

Quick Reminder: What is an XY-Wing?

An XY-Wing is a pattern formed by three bi-value cells (cells with exactly two candidates each) that are linked in a specific way. When you spot an XY-Wing, you can eliminate a candidate from other cells that see both “wings.”

Want a full step-by-step guide? Read the XY-Wing Technique article

How to Practice

  1. Scan the grid for three bi-value cells that form an XY-Wing pattern.
  2. Eliminate the shared candidate from any cell that can see both “wings.”
  3. Use these eliminations to unlock more singles and progress in the puzzle.

Start Practicing

Try the puzzles below and focus on finding and applying XY-Wing patterns. The more you practice, the easier it will be to spot this advanced technique in any Sudoku!

Now that you know how to apply this strategy, see if you can find it on one of our Sudoku puzzles!