Pairs and triplesBasic boards
Naked pair
When two squares in a row, column or box can only hold the same two numbers, they take one each. No other square there can have either.
The pairLoses a pencil mark
Check every shared group
These two squares also share a box, so the pair clears the box as well. Check every group the two squares have in common.
How to spot one
Look for squares with exactly two pencil marks, then look along their row, column and box for a twin.
What it gives you
Removals. A pair is often the step that turns its neighbours into singles, as it does here.
Practise Naked pair
Boards that need it, with the owl's hints when you're stuck.