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Could somebody provide me with some puzzles that require X-Cycles to solve. They were needed for two 'fiendish' puzzles I have solved in the last week or so and I would like to practice the technique.

Try the Zoo - puzzles identified as two or three strong links. There are both simple and grouped examples.

Willie wrote:Could somebody provide me with some puzzles that require X-Cycles to solve. They were needed for two 'fiendish' puzzles I have solved in the last week or so and I would like to practice the technique.

This puzzle requires an XY-Wing, a Turbot-Fish and 3 Bi-directional X-Cycles.

Code: Select all

. . . . 7 . . . 4
. 9 . 6 . . . 3 .
. . 1 . . 8 . . .
. 6 . 1 . 7 9 . .
7 . . . 5 . . . 2
. . 8 2 . 3 . 1 .
. . . 9 . . 8 . .
. 3 . . . 1 . 7 .
4 . . . 2 . . . .

It is very difficult to spot puzzles which have the X-Cycle as only advanced strategy. I hope you know the other Strategies too.

With best wishes

Claudia

Code: Select all

. 6 .|8 . 9|. 1 .
4 2 .|. 1 .|. 8 .
1 . .|. . .|. . 2
-----+-----+-----
3 . 7|. . .|2 . .
. . .|4 . 5|. . .
. . 4|. . .|5 . 6
-----+-----+-----
2 . .|. . .|. . 9
. 8 .|. 7 .|. 2 1
. 4 .|2 . 3|. 6 .

the x-cycle is on candidate 7