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The Two-String Kite
Learn the Two-String Kite: a row strong link and a column strong link of one digit, joined through a box, that eliminate the digit from the cell seeing both free ends.
A Two-String Kite uses one digit and two strong links — a conjugate pair in a row and a conjugate pair in a column. The pattern works when one end of the row pair and one end of the column pair share a box; that shared box is the "knot" that ties the two strings together.
The two cells outside that box are the free ends. Because a box can hold the digit only once, one of the two free ends must be the digit — so the cell that sees both free ends (their row-and-column intersection) cannot be it.
It is a close cousin of the Skyscraper, just bent through a box instead of sharing a base line. The example highlights both strong links, the connecting box and the cell the kite eliminates.
Practise the Two-string kite
The best way to learn a technique is to use it. Play a puzzle at the level where it first appears, or drop a tricky board into the solver to watch it in action.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Two-String Kite?
A single-digit pattern with a strong link in a row and a strong link in a column whose near ends share a box. One far end must hold the digit, so the cell seeing both far ends loses it.
How is it different from a Skyscraper?
A Skyscraper joins two parallel strong links through a shared line; a Two-String Kite joins a row link and a column link through a shared box. Both eliminate via the two free ends.
Is the Two-String Kite a turbot fish?
Yes. Skyscraper, Two-String Kite and the Empty Rectangle are all turbot-fish patterns — short single-digit chains of two strong links.
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