The Swordfish technique is an advanced Sudoku solving strategy that helps you eliminate candidates in certain complex scenarios. It is an extension of the X-Wing technique, but involves a 3x3 grid pattern instead of a 2x2.
How to Identify a Swordfish
A Swordfish pattern consists of the following characteristics:
Three rows (or columns) that each contain a candidate number in only two or three cells.
The candidate numbers in these rows (or columns) must be aligned in three columns (or rows).
How the Swordfish Technique Works
If the above conditions are met, you can eliminate the candidate number from any other cell in the three columns (or rows) that contain the aligned candidates.
Example of the Swordfish Technique
Tips for Spotting Swordfish
Look for rows or columns with only two or three occurrences of a candidate number.
Check if these candidates are aligned in three columns or rows.
Remember that the Swordfish technique is an extension of the X-Wing technique.
