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Simple Color Wrap

When one color contradicts itself inside a unit.

Explanation

Color conjugate pairs for one candidate. If two candidates with the same color see each other, that color would place the digit twice in a row, column, or box, so every candidate with that color can be removed.

Practice tip

After building a simple color chain, compare same-colored cells before looking outside the chain.

Example steps

Simple Color Wrap interactive demo board 2 9 8 7 6 1 4 4 7 6 5 3 2 8 1 3 5 9 7 2 6 7 3 9 4 5 5 4 3 9 8 9 6 1 8 5 4 2 3 6 7 2 1 5 2 3 6 4 9 4 5 1 7
  1. Choose one candidate and connect its strong links.
  2. Alternate two colors through the chain.
  3. If one color appears twice in a unit, remove that color from the chain.

Try this technique on a real puzzle.

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