Sudoku solving technique · Pro
2-String Kite
A row and a column with two candidates each, joined through a box.
What is a 2-String Kite?
A 2-String Kite uses a candidate that appears in exactly two cells of one row and exactly two cells of one column. One cell from the row and one from the column share a block, and the two other ends lie outside it. The two cells in the block cannot both hold the candidate, so at least one end does. It can be eliminated from any cell that sees both ends.
How to spot a 2-String Kite
You need a digit that fits in only two cells of a row and only two cells of a column. If one cell from the row and one from the column lie in the same box, the other two cells are the ends of the kite. Remove the digit from cells that see both ends.
- Difficulty
- In Sudoku Pro, this technique belongs to the Pro level.
- Learning path
- Technique 12 of 20 on the learning path
An example from the app
| Pattern (purple). Candidates 1, 2 | Given 3 | Pattern (purple). Candidates 1, 2 | Given 4 |
| Given 4 | Empty | Empty | Pattern (purple). Candidates 2, 3 |
| Affected cell (orange). Candidates 1. Eliminated 2 | Empty | Empty | Pattern (purple). Candidates 2, 3 |
| Given 3 | Empty | Empty | Given 1 |
Small digits are candidates. Crossed-out digits can be removed in this step.
- Pattern (purple)
- Affected cell (orange)