On the complexity of Sandwich Problems for $M$-partitions

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Authors: Alexey Barsukov, Santiago Guzmán‐Pro
Cited by: 0

Abstract

We present a structural classification of constraint satisfaction problems (CSP) described by reflexive complete $2$-edge-coloured graphs. In particular, this classification extends the structural dichotomy for graph homomorphism problems known as the Hell--Nešetřil theorem (1990). Our classification is also efficient: we can check in polynomial time whether the CSP of a reflexive complete $2$-edge-coloured graph is in P or NP-complete, whereas for arbitrary $2$-edge-coloured graphs, this task is NP-complete. We then apply our main result in the context of matrix partition problems and sandwich problems. Firstly, we obtain one of the few algorithmic solutions to general classes of matrix partition problems. And secondly, we present a P vs. NP-complete classification of sandwich problems for matrix partitions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Graph Theory Research Complexity and Algorithms in Graphs Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization

Publication details

Journal / source
arXiv (Cornell University)
Publication date
10 February 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Preprint