LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #232 Pro-Tips Speed-Run

LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #232: Pro-Tips Speed-Run Guide

Drop into #232 with eyes on the givens: top row packs 3-4-5, middle stacks 2s and 1s heavy. This 6x6 beast looks sparse but cracks fast if you hit the constrained spots first. Scan by number, not cell. Start with 1s and 2s—they're clustered, forcing quick eliminations.

Opening Salvo: Cross-Hatch the Top Block

Box 1 (rows 1-2, cols 1-3) has 3,4 in row1 col2-3, 2 in row2 col2. Cross-hatch for 6: can't hit row1 (3,4 block it), row2 col1 open but column1 has no 6 yet. Check column3: row3 has 1, row4 empty. Nail row1 col1 as 6—only spot in box, row, column. Boom, first placement unlocks column1.

Hidden Singles in Row 3: Momentum Builder

Row3: 1 in col2, 2 in col4. Box2 (rows1-2, cols4-6) has 6,5? No—track 5 in row2 col3 via column scan. Row3 col1: only 4 fits (1,2 placed, box/column block 3,5,6). Hidden single on 5 row2 col1—column1 now has 6 above, forces it. Propagate: row2 col1=5 clears box1 fully.

Crucial Square: Row5 Col3 = The Breaker

Grid stalls mid-game? Row5 col3 is your crucial square. By now, row5 has 2 col3? No—givens 2 col3, 4 col5. But scanning 2s: column3 loaded (4 row1, null row2? Wait, filled as 1). Cross-hatch column3 for 2: row5 only open spot after eliminations from box4 (3 row4 col3) and row6 5 col3. Slam 2 there. This Difficult Row (row5) cracks open: col1 forces 1 (hidden single, box4 misses it elsewhere), col2=6 (column2 2 above), col4=3, col6=5. Chain reaction fills row4 col2=5, box3 complete.

Endgame Sweep: Naked Pairs & Box Locks

Boxes fill cyclic: bottom-right box5 locks 4,6 dance. Spot naked pair in row6 col1-2 (3,4 only possibles post-elims). Place row6 col6=6 (column6 1-5 placed). Final row1 col5-6=1,2 obvious. Whole grid cascades in 90 seconds.

6x6 Edge: Why #232 Speed-Runs

• Constrained rows first: Row2-3 nearly full early.
• Number scan: Hunt 1s across boxes—fewer cells mean faster hits.
• Re-scan ruthlessly: One placement like row1 col1 ripples to three more.
• Avoid cell-stare: Box-view for hidden singles in 2x3 blocks.

That crucial row5 col3 flip? Pure veteran instinct. Practice these, and #232 clocks under a minute next time. Grid's yours.