Solver Contradiction: Not Enough Free Squares in a Row/Column

There are not enough free squares left in a row or column. The row or column can never have the necessary number of ship segments. This rule is encountered as the last contradictory step of an indirect logical sequence.

Example

images\fath0044.gif

In the above board, square (D,4) cannot be a ship segment. Making (D,4) a ship segment would make squares (E,3-5) water, leaving only four squares in row E as possible ship segments. Since row E has a tally of five, there are not enough free squares left in the row. Therefore, (D,4) must be water.