VWXYZ-Wing

VWXYZ-Wing uses five cells whose combined candidates total exactly five digits. When properly configured with a pivot and wings, a restricted common candidate can be eliminated from cells seeing all pattern members.

Technique

1. Find five cells whose union of candidates contains exactly five digits {V,W,X,Y,Z}.
2. One cell (pivot) sees the other four (wings).
3. Identify the restricted candidate that must be in one of the pattern cells.
4. Eliminate it from cells that see all cells containing that candidate.

Tips

• VWXYZ-Wings are rare and extend the N-Y-Wing family to 5 cells.
• The pattern is equivalent to an Almost Locked Set interaction.
• Computer assistance is usually needed to find these reliably.