When you become an experienced player, it’s natural that you will seek to develop strategies that will help you solve puzzles with more speed and more success. Skyscraper tactics are one of the best tactics you can learn.
Understanding the Sky Basics
Skyscraper’s tactics are operating on the idea of visualizing two skyscrapers at different altitudes. If you imagine a skyscraper, it consists of multiple floors and moves vertically. At Sudoku ny times a skyscraper was built when only one of two cells could be placed in one column. A skyscraper may have any number of floors between 2 and 9, for example;
- Column 1 has two cells (a row 1 and a row 9) where 7 can be used. This skyscraper is 9 stories tall.
- Column 3 has two cells (four rows and seven rows) where 7 can be used. This skyscraper is four stories high.
- Column 7 has two cells (in row 5 and row 9) where 7 can be used. This skyscraper is 5 stories high.
- Column 8 has two cells (the 6th row and the 9th row) where 4 cells can be used. This skyscraper is four stories high.
To build a skyscraper, however, two skyscrapers must have the same row below as if built on the ground. So column 3 cannot be one of these cases. The two skyscrapers must also apply to the same candidate, meaning that the 8th column is unrelated here.
So column 1 and column 7 can form the skyscraper model. Just remember that if both were lined 1 or row 5, this would be an X-Wing due to the rectangular nature.
Applying Heavenly Rules
The best way to understand Skyscraper’s methods is to use an example. Imagine a case where the Skyscraper model is involved;
- The two cells in which 2 are candidates at column 1 (subscripted 6 and 8)
- The two cells that are 2 are candidates at the 8th and 8th column.
It’s not entirely an X-axis because two of the candidates are spread across row 5 and 6. So, the Skyscraper technique should be used instead. While there are only two possibilities for a number 2 in column 1 and number 8, you can also have other candidates in row 5, 6, and 8 as well as 4 x3 grids.
Because the fact that there are only two possible candidates in the columns, there is a ‘or’ situation. If a 2 is placed in row 8 of column 1, then a 2 can now be used in row 6 of column 1 or row 8 of column 8. Similarly, if a 2 is placed in the 8th row of the 8th column, there cannot be a 2 in either row 8 or row 5 of the 8th column.
As a result of this, it is ensured that a 2 will be placed in either two cells at column 1 6 or column 8 row 5. Now, using the Skyscraper method means we can remove any other 2 that can be seen by both cells. For example:
- If a number 2 is placed in row 6 columns 9, it is shown in column 1 (both) and column 8 (3×3 net). So candidate 2 could be removed from this cell.
- If a number 2 is found in row 5 of column 7, it is shown by column 8 cells but is not column 1 cell. So we can’t get two candidates out of this cell.
- If a number 2 is found in row 5 of the column 3, it is seen via column 1 (3×3) and column 8 cells (both). So candidate 2 could be removed from this cell.
By removing two candidates from two cells, we may reveal one cell. So if we remove 2 means that only 4 is available in row 6 of the line 9, we can fill in here. From here, we can remove any 4 from row, column, and 3 x3 networks. So it’s not hard to understand how this can help us navigate the puzzle and potentially start a full sequence of cells.
Associated With Other Methods
Skyscraper’s strategy is one that can be used along with other techniques in the same game. For example, you can find an X-Wing or a Y-Wing somewhere on the board. Similarly, when you use this strategy, you can still use the number of magic to confirm that adding a candidate to one of the cells in the column will not see the row or 3 x3 networks fall short or pass the total number 45.
However, a best strategy to combine with Skyscraper is to tie the chain. Even if a Skyscraper does not leave a naked solution after removing a candidate, it will open to check two options in two cells to see if it reveals any naked figures. And once revealed, it can create a situation where many cells can be filled.
Common Errors to Avoid
Skyscraper technique is considered an advanced strategy but as a you can learn quite easily if you already know how to X-Wing. However, there are some common mistakes that the player should avoid. That’s right.
- Unconfirmed that two cells are highlighted as the only two possibilities in a column. If a third exists and it becomes a correct solution, each step taken in the Skyscraper technique would be a mistake.
- Remove other candidates found on the line with skyscrapers without first confirming that both cells are visible. If just one skyscraper interacts with the cell, leave it.
- Using the Skyscraper method on two skyscrapers of the same size. In this case, you should choose X-Wing instead. It’s not just faster, it’s also helping identify the candidate.
As this model exists, the Skyscraper method can be used to solve some very difficult puzzles. Once you’ve used it a few times, it will allow you to get faster than time and avoid guessing.