In Weekly Extreme 432, a Sue de Coq shows some promising removals, but we never get there, because the verification trial solves the puzzle.

After moderate basic solving in all three Sysudoku stages,

Wex 432 presents the Sue de Coq    Cr5 = 8(2+3)(1+9) + 189,

with tempting removals and two clues in r5. But first, it is necessary to verify that alternative (2+3) is not missing from cells Cr5, leaving 189.

The trial reveals that Cr5 actually is 189, and the removals would not have helped us meet the WEC deadline.

A similar fate awaits Wex 433 whose line marking ended in a rather spectacular set of removals from a naked pair.

Again, the wannabe Sue de Coq NEr3 = 2(1+6)(3+4) , does not remove 4r3c5 as anticipated, because alternative (3+4) turns up missing, and the naked pair NEnp16 leads to a collapse.

Like me, you may be getting weary of these SdC trials, but here’s something worth your time.

Suppose we missed the Sue de Coq and colored the bv remaining from the naked pair, extending it as far as possible. Now it happens that 3-slink of c5 can be combined with a 9-slink in r5 in an AIC that is a slink between 3r4c5 and 9r5c9, extending the cluster to the 9 and to its 1 bv partner. This traps the other 1 in r5, confirming 2r5c6.

The AIC strong link can fit into any methods where a slink is used.

Two more Weekly Extremes in this review. Let’s see what they bring.