Windoku · Hard

Hidden Pair in Windoku

Two digits that fit in only two cells of a house. Every other candidate in those cells is eliminated.

The idea

When two digits can go only in the same two cells of a house, those cells must hold them, and their other candidates can go.

Scan the windows as well as the boxes: a hidden pair can sit in one.

Worked examples

2 positions from real Windoku puzzles on this site, the familiar case first. Step through each one: the board lights what each step talks about, and the arrows show what rules what out.

Two digits, two cells, in a column

Hard puzzle · Hidden Pair

In column 6, look for two digits that fit in only two cells.

Step 1 of 4Step 2 of 4Step 3 of 4Step 4 of 4

Two digits, two cells, in a window

Hard puzzle · Hidden Pair

Look through the lit window for two digits with only two places.

Step 1 of 5Step 2 of 5Step 3 of 5Step 4 of 5Step 5 of 5

Where it fits

HardHidden Pair is a Hard technique: Hard Windoku puzzles are the first to need it.

The Classic Hidden Pair lesson teaches it on a plain 9×9 board. The Windoku overview explains the rule and the levels.

Hidden Pair in the other styles: Sudoku X, Jigsaw, Thermo, Arrow, Kropki.

Try it on a Hard Windoku puzzle. Next Step points it out when it is the move.

The worked examples, every step

Two digits, two cells, in a column

Hard Windoku puzzle · Hidden Pair

  1. In column 6, look for two digits that fit in only two cells.
  2. In column 6, {4, 7} can only go in R1C6, R5C6. Those cells must hold those digits, so their other candidates can go.
  3. Keep only {4, 7} in R1C6, R5C6.
  4. Done: 5, 6, 9 are eliminated from R1C6, R5C6.

Two digits, two cells, in a window

Hard Windoku puzzle · Hidden Pair

  1. Look through the lit window for two digits with only two places.
  2. In the bottom-left window, look for two digits that fit in only two cells.
  3. In the bottom-left window, {3, 5} can only go in R8C2, R8C3. Those cells must hold those digits, so their other candidates can go.
  4. Keep only {3, 5} in R8C2, R8C3.
  5. Done: 6 and 7 are eliminated from R8C2; 6 and 8 are eliminated from R8C3.

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