Advanced

Naked Triple

When three cells in a unit share only three candidates.

Explanation

If three empty cells in one row, column, or box contain only the same three possible digits between them, those digits are reserved for the triple and can be removed from the other cells in that unit.

Naked Triple example Sudoku board 4 6 7 9 1 2 6 2 1 5 1 9 6 7 8 7 3 4 2 5 3 1 4 5 6 6 1 3 7 2 4 8 7 4 1 9 3 3 2
An example board where Naked Triple applies

Practice tip

After pairs, scan units for three short notes whose combined digits are exactly three numbers.

Example steps

  1. Find three cells in one unit with two or three candidates each.
  2. Check that their combined candidates are exactly three digits.
  3. Remove those three digits from the other cells in the unit.

Try this technique on a real puzzle.

Play Sudoku Online