LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #228 Pro-Tips Speed-Run

LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #228: Speed-Run Breakdown

Grid hits you with 1s locking row 1 corners, 2 in row 1 col5, 6 in row2 col3, 4 in row2 col6, 2 in row3 col2, 5 in row4 col5, 3 in row5 col1, 5 in row5 col4, 4 in row6 col2, 6 in row6 col6. Standard 6x6 rules: 1-6 unique per row, column, 2x3 box. This one's sneaky mid-tier, but cracks wide open once you nail the Crucial Square in row 4 col 2.

Opening Moves: Fill the Obvious Singles

Scan row 1: 1 and 2 given, cross off column and box mates. Hidden single pops 5 in row1 col6; nothing else fits that box without duping column 6's future 4.

• Row 2: 6 and 4 lock positions. Cross-hatch column 1: only row2 col1 takes 2 (rows above blocked by row1's 1, below by row3's 2).
• Box 1 (rows1-3, cols1-3): Chase 3s. Column 3 empty except row2's 6; row1 col3 must be 3 after eliminating 1,2,6.

Row 3 fills fast: 4 in col1 (box mate to row1/2), 5 in col3, 1 in col4 via column scan.

Pro-Tip 1: Cross-Hatching in Tight 6x6 Boxes

In 6x6, boxes are slimmer—perfect for cross-hatching. Pencil column 5 top box: row1 has 2, so 1,3,4,6 open. But row3 col5 blocks 6 elsewhere; hatch rows to nail 6 in row3 col5. Saves seconds over full candidate lists.

The Difficult Row: Row 4, Where #228 Fights Back

Row 4 stares empty-ish: only 5 in col5. Columns block most: col1 can't 1/3 (rows1/5), col2 eyes 1/6, col3 chases 2 after box fills. This is your Difficult Row—feels stalled until Crucial Square row4 col2.

Pro-Tip 2: Hidden Singles Crack the Stalemate

Box 4 (rows4-6, cols1-3): 3 in row5 col1, 4 in row6 col2. Hunt 1s: column1 blocks row4/6, column2 blocks row5/6, column3 open but row4 col3 can't 1 (row1 has it). Boom—hidden single: 1 only fits row4 col2. No other box spot for 1 without duping.

That 1 ripples: row4 col1 must be 6 (box needs it, column1 clear). Col3 gets 4? No—scan row4: 2 left for col3 after 3/5/6 placed. Chain fills row4: 6,1,2,?,5,? but box forces rest.

Endgame Speed: Box Pairs and Column Locks

Post-crack, bottom boxes pair up. Row5: 3 and 5 given, column locks 6 in col2 (row4 took 1), 4 in col6 empty? Cross-hatch row6: 4 given col2, 6 col6, 1 col3 via box exclusion.

• Final push: Row6 col1=5 (only left), col4=2, col5=3. Top fills mirror.

Pro-Tip 3: 6x6 Box Mirroring for Sub-Minute Times

Like video pros spot: filled top box 1-2-3? Mirror 4-5-6 bottom. Here, row1 partials hint row6 inverses. Turn on notes for candidates, but veterans eye boxes first—cuts solve to 45s.

Your Speed-Run Edge

Hit row4 col2 early via box 1s scan—that's the Aha! where #228 breaks. Practice cross-hatching columns 1-2, hidden singles in bottom boxes. Next LinkedIn 6x6? You'll smash it under a minute. Grid yields to sharp eyes; keep hunting those singles.