XY-Wing

Also known as Y-Wing. Three cells, two candidates each, one clean removal.

What is an XY-Wing?

You need three cells with exactly two candidates each. The pivot holds X and Y. One pincer sees the pivot and holds X and Z. The other pincer sees the pivot and holds Y and Z.

Whatever the pivot turns out to be, one of the pincers becomes Z. So any cell that sees both pincers can't be Z.

pivot and pincers candidates you can remove blue numbers: already filled in with the basics

Example from a real puzuru puzzle. Rows and columns are numbered 1 to 9 from the top left. Candidates are shown only for the cells that matter here.

The example

The pivot is R5C8 with candidates 6 or 7. The pincers are R4C9 (5 or 6) and R5C5 (5 or 7). Both pincers see the pivot.

If the pivot is 6, then R4C9 can't be 6, so it must be 5. If the pivot is 7, then R5C5 must be 5. Either way, one of the pincers is 5.

So the cells that see both pincers can't be 5: remove 5 from R4C5, R4C6.

How to spot an XY-Wing

Look for two-candidate cells, especially ones that share a box with other two-candidate cells.

Pick one as the pivot (XY). Look for a cell it sees with XZ, and another it sees with YZ. The shared number Z is the one you can remove from cells that see both XZ and YZ.

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FAQ

Is XY-Wing the same as Y-Wing?

Yes. Both names refer to the same three-cell pattern.

Do the two pincers need to see each other?

No. Only the pivot needs to see both pincers. The removal applies to cells that see both pincers.

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