Two-String Kite
Level 7 · Green Belt
Strategy:
Single-Digit PatternsOverview
Two-String Kite uses two conjugate pairs for a single digit, with one pair in a row and one in a column, linked through a shared box. The candidate can be eliminated from cells seeing both string endpoints.
How It Works
- Find a conjugate pair (exactly 2 occurrences) of a digit in a row.
- Find another conjugate pair of the same digit in a column.
- The pairs must link in one box (share a cell or have cells in the same box).
- Eliminate the candidate from cells that see both outer endpoints.
Example
Starting position
Look for Two-String Kite.
1
Find two strong links for 7
Digit 7 appears exactly twice in row 9 and exactly twice in column 1.
2
Strings in row 9 and column 1
Row 9 and column 1 each form a conjugate pair for digit 7.
3
The strings join in box 7
One endpoint from each pair shares box 7, forming the kite's joint.
4
Kite tails at r9c8 and r2c1
The tails are r9c8 and r2c1. Since one tail must be 7, these cells that see both tails cannot keep 7: r2c8.
5
Remove 7 from cells seeing both tails
Remove 7 from the cells that see both r9c8 and r2c1: r2c8.
6
Result
Result after applying the technique.
Tips & Patterns
- The "kite" is formed by the linking box, and the "strings" are the row and column conjugate pairs.
- Both endpoints of the strings are in different boxes.
- Look for digits appearing exactly twice in both a row and column.