LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #247 Pro-Tips Speed-Run

LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #247: Speed-Run Breakdown

Drop into this 6x6 grid and hit the gas. Row 1 kicks off with 1 in A1, 3 in C1. Row 2 has B2=2, E2=3. Row 3: B3=4, D3=1, F3=5. Row 4: A4=5, E4=2. Row 5: B5=3, E5=4. Row 6: D6=3, F6=2. Boxes are 2x3, numbers 1-6. No time for fluff: scan, eliminate, fill.

Pro-Tip 1: Cross-Hatching Blitz

Start with 1s. Cross-hatch row 3 (D3=1) against column A (A1=1, A4=5). In box 1 (rows 1-2, cols A-C), 1 blocks A2,B1,B2. Pins 1 into B1. Boom, naked single.

Chain it: Cross-hatch 6s next. No 6s given, but post-1 fill, row 1 empty spots narrow. Mentally slash rows/cols: row 4 empty B4,D4,F4; check box 2 (rows 1-2, cols D-F). Only D1 open for 6 after eliminations. Fill fast, ripple cleans row 1.

Why 6x6 Cross-Hatch Rules

Tighter grid means fewer cells per box (6 empties max). Cross-hatching lights up singles quicker than 9x9. Practice: pick number, slash lines through givens, spot lone box cell. Repeat 1-6 in 30 seconds.

Pro-Tip 2: Hidden Singles Unlock Chains

Pencil candidates mentally or quick-note. After early cross-hatch (1s, then 2s in col E: E2=3,E4=2,E5=4 blocks), hit row 2. Candidates: A2 (4,5,6?), C2,D2,F2. 5 only fits C2 (row blocks, box 2 blocks D2/F2). Hidden single: fill C2=5.

Integrate: Post-fill, col C scan reveals 4 hidden in B3 (given but chain-checks). These pop in almost-full units. Row 3 nearly packed post-1s: scan for loners like 3 in A3.

Crucial Square: Row 4, D4 Cracks It

Difficult Row: Row 4. Starts A4=5, E4=2, empties B4,C4,D4,F4. Cross-hatch 6s: row 1 now has D1=6 (from earlier), col D has D3=1,D6=3. Box 4 (rows 3-4, cols A-C) blocks B4/C4 for 6. Pins 6 into D4.

Aha! D4=6 floods the grid. Col D cleans: forces A3=3 (hidden single, only spot left). Row 3 completes: A3=3,B3=4,C3=2,D3=1,E3=6,F3=5. Row 4 chains: B4=1 (cross-hatch 1s, blocks elsewhere). C4=4,F4=3. Boom, mid-game cascade.

Row 4 Final Fill Path

• D4=6 (cross-hatch box 4)
• B4=1 (hidden single row 4, col B blocks)
• C4=4 (only left after 5/2/6/1 block)
• F4=3 (cross-hatch col F: F3=5,F6=2 blocks)

Speed-Run Finish: Chain Reaction

Row 4 break unlocks row 5: B5=3 given, cross-hatch 1s pins A5=2. Col A fills: A6=6 (last spot). Box 6 (rows 5-6, cols D-F) hidden 5 in E6. Final rows drop via counting empties: row 6 C6=5,B6=5 wait no, scan 4s/5s. Full solve: top-to-bottom fill, under 90 seconds trained.

Tactical edge: Always hit row 4 D4 early. It's the hinge. Drill cross-hatch on 6x6 daily, spot hidden singles in 80% full units. You got this: next run, shave 10 seconds.