The Hidden Triples technique is an advanced Sudoku solving strategy that allows you to identify and eliminate unnecessary candidates. This technique is based on identifying three numbers that can only appear in three cells within a row, column, or block.

When to Use the Hidden Triples Technique?

Use this technique when you notice that three candidate numbers appear exclusively in three cells within the same row, column, or block, and nowhere else in that unit.

How to Identify a Hidden Triple?

1. Examine each row, column, and block for candidate numbers.
2. Look for three numbers that only appear in three specific cells within that unit.
3. If you find this configuration, you have identified a Hidden Triple.

Practical Example

Imagine you are working with numbers 2, 5, and 8. If you see that 2, 5, and 8 appear only in cells (1,4), (3,4), and (6,4) within column 4, you can apply the Hidden Triples technique.

This means you can eliminate all other candidates from those three cells, as they must contain exclusively 2, 5, and 8.

Benefits of Using Hidden Triples

• Eliminates unnecessary candidates, facilitating puzzle solving.
• Helps unlock complicated situations where other techniques don’t work.
• Improves your ability to recognize patterns and think strategically.

Tips for Practicing Hidden Triples

• Practice regularly to become familiar with pattern identification.
• Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see it at first; it becomes easier over time.
• Combine Hidden Triples with other techniques to maximize their effectiveness.

Conclusion

The Hidden Triples technique is a powerful tool in your Sudoku solving arsenal. With practice and patience, you can master this technique and solve even the most challenging Sudokus.