dailysudoku.com

[mdjjpapa]

Could someone please explain the hint for this puzzle from 25 Aug 2006?

Thanks, David

[TKiel]

I think this particular puzzle and this particular spot have been discussed previously, but here goes anyway.

There is a naked triple in row 3 that creates an X-wing that makes r1c9 the only spot in column 9 for a 6.

[mdjjpapa]

I see an x-wing at r3c3, r9c3, r9c8, r3c8 which will give me a "1" in r5c8, but not a "6" in r1c9. Which x-wing did you see?

Thanks, David

[TKiel]

It's the same as the one you saw. Excludes the 4's in r45c8 (allowing you to place the 1 in r5c8 as you noted) but it also makes r4c9 the only place in that box that can be a 4, which in turn makes r1c9 a 6.

I don't use the software to play but from what I've read from people who do, the hints aren't necessarily linear. There may be a couple of steps between where you are and where the hint goes.

[mdjjpapa]

Thanks! Once you get the "1" the rest is easy, I was just confused by their hint which is advertised as a "logical next step" causing me to wonder if there was another logical deduction I wasn't seeing; but maybe "next step" is subject to interpretation.

David

[TKiel]

David,

Maybe it's only semantics but a "logical next step" is not quite the same thing as the "immediately next logical step".

[ravel]

[mdjjpapa]

You're right! That is the X-wing they used to give the hint, just didn't see it before for some reason.

Thanks, David

[TKiel]

That makes two of us.