Proven Sudoku
Bowman's Bingo
Also called Bowman Bingo, Bingo.
New to this shorthand? How to read a sudoku grid explains r4c7, houses, candidates and the rest.
What it means
Pick a digit, assume it, and write out everything that follows until you either finish or hit a contradiction. If it breaks, the digit was wrong. It is guess and check, done tidily.
The exact rule, for stronger players
The rule, stated exactly: A systematic trial procedure: assume a candidate, place forced consequences until either a contradiction appears or the grid completes, then record the result and back out.
What it removes: Eliminate assumptions that contradict.
Why it works: Exhaustive trial with bookkeeping. Sound, but it is search rather than deduction.
Worked examples
None yet. This pattern does not turn up in our daily boards, so there is no real example to show. We would rather wait than draw a fake one.
Learn these first
- NishioAssume a number goes in a square, then check whether the rest of that number can still fit everywhere it needs to.
Related chains
- Cell Forcing ChainTake one square and try each number it could hold.
- Continuous Nice LoopA loop where the reasoning closes back on itself with no weak spot.
- Digit Forcing ChainTake one number in one square.
- Discontinuous Nice LoopA loop that almost closes but has one weak spot.
- Dynamic Forcing Chain with ContradictionAssume a digit is right.
How often does it come up?
Our rough estimate: rarely used, and generally considered a structured way of guessing rather than a technique.