Cross-clue technique · Advanced
Comparative Combination
Combining two comparative or offset clues that share a reference point into a new deduction neither clue gives up alone.
Why it works
Two clues measured against the same anchor can be compared to each other, not just to the anchor — sometimes ruling two items apart, and in one specific pattern, confirming two items are the same.
Trigger
Two comparative or offset clues that share a common reference item or value.
Common mistake
Using each clue only against its own stated reference, and missing what the two clues say about each other.
Example
If red costs $10 more than Wilma, and green costs $10 more than Wilma too, then red and green are the same price, which forces them to be the same item.
On Bambleweeny's board
All four combination patterns are implemented in the live solver. Each was checked against Two-Bridge Elimination before being added, to confirm it was real new capability rather than a restatement.