Rectangle Elimination

Hard

Hinge-based rectangle pattern using conjugate pair relationships to eliminate candidates.

How It Works

Hinge cells in two boxes form a rectangle pattern. Using conjugate pair relationships through the hinges, candidates are eliminated from other cells in the pattern.

This technique catches eliminations that W-Wing and Skyscraper miss.

Example

24893
15
15
76
135678249
679
12
124
145
3
58
18
351782964
984
13
6
13
725
726459813
45
62
38
14
37
15
9
78
45
93
128
124
147
6
58
178
817596432
Key cells of the techniqueCells where elimination is appliedCandidate to be placedEliminated candidate (crossed out)

Practice with a Real Puzzle

This 9×9 puzzle is solver-verified to require this technique on its solution path.

Medium26 givensStrict