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Two-String Kite

Skyscraper & Kite

How it works

Find a digit with exactly two candidate cells in one row and exactly two in one column, where one cell from the row and one from the column sit in the same 3×3 box. Those two can't both be the digit — a box only holds it once — so whichever one misses out leaves its own line with nowhere else for the digit but that line's other cell. Either way, one of the row's or column's 'other' cells always ends up holding it, so any cell that sees both of those other cells loses the digit.

Try it

Look at Row 5, Column 7, Row 7, Column 7, Row 9, Column 3, and Row 9, Column 8 — a row and a column where 5 has only two candidates each, with one cell from the row and one from the column sharing a box. Let's pencil them in, then see why 5 can't survive at cells that see both of the two that *don't* share it.

Tap each of Row 5, Column 7, Row 7, Column 7, Row 9, Column 3, and Row 9, Column 8, then tap every digit that's still possible there — check what's already used in that cell's row, column and box. Press "Check my work" when you're ready.

The two shared cells can't both be 5 — they share a box — so whichever one misses out leaves its own line with nowhere else for 5 but its other cell. One of those two other cells always ends up with 5 — we just can't say which.

Which means 5 can be crossed out of every cell that sees both of those two.

Tap a highlighted cell, then tap its red digit on the pad below to cross it out — the highlighted cells show why it can't go there.

8
3
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6
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