It is proved that if 1 + x + y or 1 + x - y cannot occur as a zero divisor of the complex group algebra of a finite group G for any two distinct x, y ∈ G {1}, then G is solvable. We also characterize all finite abelian groups with the latter property. The motivation of studying such property for finite groups is to settle the existence of zero divisors with support size 3 in the integral group algebra of torsion free residually finite groups.