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Stuck on a medium Sudoku? Stop guessing and find one fact

A harder grid may not have a nearly complete row. Do not choose the digit that looks most likely. Write the digits that can still fit in one empty cell. Each possible digit is called a candidate.

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One visible proof

When one cell has only one possible digit after you check its row, column, and 3×3 box, that digit is forced.

  1. 1. Choose one empty cellCheck its row, column, and 3×3 box.
  2. 2. Rule out the used digitsRow 1 contains 3, 5, and 6. Column 3 contains 2, 8, and 9. The top-left 3×3 box also contains 1 and 7. Together, these checks rule out every digit except 4.
  3. 3. Place the only candidateOnly candidate 4 remains, so 4 must go in the outlined cell. A cell with one candidate is called a naked single.
536
72
18
9
For R1C3, row 1, column 3, and the top-left 3×3 box rule out every digit except 4.

Row 1 rules out 3, 5, and 6. Column 3 rules out 2, 8, and 9. The top-left 3×3 box rules out 1 and 7. Only 4 remains.

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