What is the "last spot" technique in Queens?

If a row, a column or a colour has only one open tile left, its queen goes on that tile. Every row, column and colour needs exactly one queen, so when there is a single place left for it, there is nothing to decide. This is the move you will make most often.

The simplest case: a one-tile colour

queenalready ruled outplay herecross out nowtiles to look at

The topaz colour is a single tile, so its queen has to go there. Always check for these before anything else.

The last open tile in a row or column

Column 3 has only one open tile left, so its queen goes there. The other tiles in that line were ruled out by queens already placed.

The last open tile in a colour

The lagoon colour has only one open tile left, so its queen goes there. A colour can be several tiles big and still have only one that's usable.

How to spot it

• After placing a queen, re-check the rows, columns and colours next to it. They just lost tiles.
• Scan all three kinds of unit. Players who check only rows miss forced queens in columns and colours.
• This only works if your marks are up to date, which is why crossing out around each queen matters.