Daily Mail

CUNNING TRICKS TO HELP YOU

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The first three tips are straightfo­rward . . .

1. If there are two noughts next to each other, the spaces on either side of them must each be filled by a cross, as you can’t have three of the same symbol next to each other. The same applies to crosses: if there are two next to each other, you need a nought on either side. 2. Following the same rule of not having more than two of the same symbol together, if you have a nought, a space and a nought, the space must be filled by a cross. The same applies if you have a cross, a space and a cross — the space must be filled by a nought. 3. Once you have three of one symbol in a row or column, then you know the other spaces must all be filled by the other symbol.

Tips four and five are the key to progressin­g beyond the first steps. . .

4. Look for a row or column with the same symbol at each end. For example, if there is a cross at either end, you have to put a nought next to each cross. Why? Because if you put a cross next to either of those two crosses, that would leave just three spaces. You have already used all three of your crosses — and you can’t put three noughts together.

Here’s an example of rule No 4. When you have a cross at both ends of a row or column, you can’t put another cross next to either of them, as that would create three noughts in a row.

5. This rule can be adapted if, for example, you have a row or column with a space, a cross, three spaces and a cross. The first space can’t be a cross because that would leave you with three noughts together in the third, fourth and fifth spaces. So now you know the first space must be a nought.

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