What is the pivot in an XY-Wing?
The pivot is a bi-value cell containing candidates X and Y that sees both wing cells.
Pure Sudoku
Advanced technique
XY-Wing turns three bi-value cells into an elimination.
A pivot containing XY sees one XZ wing and one YZ wing. Whichever value the pivot takes, one wing must contain Z, so shared peers cannot contain Z.
- Level
- Advanced
- Pattern
- One pivot links two wings through a shared candidate
- Outcome
- Logical progress
Focused example
The pivot 2–8 connects wings 2–7 and 8–7.
The highlighted cells show the exact scope of the pattern. Read the candidates before making an elimination.
How it works
Apply the pattern in four checks.
- Find a bi-value pivot cell containing candidates X and Y.
- Find an XZ wing and a YZ wing that both see the pivot.
- Confirm the two wings share candidate Z.
- Remove Z only from cells that see both wing cells.
Know the difference
Use the pattern only when every condition is true.
XY-Wing is a three-cell chain based on peer relationships. X-Wing is a four-corner line pattern for one candidate.
After the move, re-scan the affected unit for singles before searching for another advanced pattern.
Common mistake
Protect the logic before erasing a candidate.
The elimination cell must see both wings. Seeing the pivot or only one wing is not enough to remove the shared candidate.
If any required condition is missing, leave the candidates in place and continue scanning.
Continue playing
Choose your next Sudoku route.
FAQ
Quick answers before you play.
Do the two wings need to see each other?
No. Each wing must see the pivot, while the elimination applies to cells that see both wings.
What candidate is eliminated?
Remove the candidate Z shared by the two wings from their common peers.
Practice loop
Find it on a live board.
Pause when the board slows down, check the candidate conditions, make one justified move, and scan again.