Technique guide
Naked pairs
A naked pair exists when exactly two cells in one unit contain the same two candidates. Those digits must occupy those cells in some order and can be removed from every other cell in the unit.
When to use it
Search for pairs after basic scans and locked candidates stop progressing. Complete notes matter because a missing candidate can make a false pair look valid.
A small example
If two cells in column 7 each contain only {3, 8}, then column 7 must place 3 and 8 in those two cells. Remove 3 and 8 from the other unsolved cells in that column.
Step by step
- 1Within one unit, find cells that each have exactly two candidates.
- 2Confirm that two cells contain the identical pair and that there are exactly two such cells.
- 3Remove both digits from other cells in that unit; do not place either digit yet.
Recommended level: Intermediate.
Put it into practice
Use a Medium game to practice careful candidate bookkeeping.