Start with the idea
Start with a cell that has very few choices. In this example, the cell can be 4 or 9. If trying one choice eventually breaks the rules, that choice cannot be correct, so you undo it and use the other one.
Example
5
3
7
6
1
9
5
9
8
6
8
6
3
4
8
7
2
4
9
1
4
9
6
6
3
4
9
2
8
1
5
8
7
Look here firstStart with one cell that has only two reasonable choices. In this example, the branch starts from 4 or 9.
This is a controlled branch, not a first resort.
This is labeled Guess because the analyzer had to branch, not because every player should guess first.
- Choose a cell with very few notes.
- Try one note and continue solving.
- If that branch breaks the rules, undo it and use the other choice.
cell to trynearby notes
When to look for it
Use it only when regular solving techniques stop helping; FFG reserves it for rare Legendary dead-ends.
How to use it
- Choose a cell with only a few notes, usually two.
- Temporarily try one note and continue solving.
- If the branch breaks the rules, backtrack and place the other note.
Common mistakes
- Guessing too early hides useful logic and makes mistakes harder to diagnose.
- Keep branches controlled; do not scatter several guesses across the board.