---
title: "Remote Pairs: Sudoku Technique #27 | Sudoku Flow"
description: "Remote Pairs: In a chain with an even number of bivalue cells that all share the same two candidates, the two ends are opposite, so any cell that sees both…"
url: https://sudokuflow.com/lessons/remotePairs/
language: en
---

[Sudoku technique lessons](https://sudokuflow.com/lessons/) / Remote Pairs

Lesson 27

# Remote Pairs

## The rule

In a chain with an even number of bivalue cells that all share the same two candidates, the two ends are opposite, so any cell that sees both ends cannot be either candidate.

## Step by step

1. A chain of 4 bivalue cells, each with only candidates 1 and 2, forms a Remote Pair pattern.
2. Each cell in this chain has the same two candidates, and linked cells see each other, so the values alternate. Because the chain has an even number of cells, its two ends take opposite values, so exactly one end must be 1. Any cell that sees both ends cannot be 1 and loses that candidate.

[Read the full lesson, with more examples →](https://sudoku.rubigogames.com/techniques/remote-pairs.html)

In our app, when this technique is the next step, the hint names it and shows you why, step by step. No ads, free to download.

[App Store iPhone, iPad, Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6502922368?pt=125379530&ct=sudokuflow_cta&mt=8) [Google Play Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rubigogames.sudoku&referrer=utm_source%3Dsudokuflow%26utm_medium%3Dcta%26utm_campaign%3Dlesson)

## Try it on more boards

Each board is a real puzzle from our app, at a moment where Remote Pairs applies. Find the step yourself, or tap Hint and the app's own hint walks you through it.

Remote Pairs practice board:

```text
6  1* 3* | 8  2* 5* | 4* 9* 7*
.  5* 2  | .  .  9  | .  1  3*
.  9  .  | 1* .  .  | .  5* 2
---------+----------+---------
1* 3* 4  | 6  .  8* | 2  7  9*
5  7  9* | 3* 4* 2  | 1* 6* 8
.  .  .  | 7* 9  1  | 3  4* 5*
---------+----------+---------
3  8  .  | .  .  7  | 9* 2* .
9  .  .  | 2* 3  .  | 7  8* 1
.  .  .  | 9* .  .  | 5  3* .
```
Digits marked * were filled in by a player; the others were printed with the puzzle.

![Sudoku app icon](https://sudokuflow.com/assets/app-icon.png)

## Want more boards like this?

We also make a Sudoku app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. There are no ads in it at all, it works offline, and when you ask for a hint it shows you the technique instead of just filling in a number.

[App Store iPhone, iPad, Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6502922368?pt=125379530&ct=sudokuflow_web&mt=8) [Google Play Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rubigogames.sudoku&referrer=utm_source%3Dsudokuflow%26utm_medium%3Dweb%26utm_campaign%3Dsite)

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