LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #123 (W/ Stripes) Step-by-Step Solution

Solve LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #123 W/ Stripes, published December 12, 2025 (Question ID: 123). This 6x6 puzzle requires filling rows, columns, and 2x3 boxes with digits 1-6 uniquely. Here's the grid with clues:

  1 . . . . .
. 2 . . 6 . 
3 . . 5 . . 
. . 4 . . 6
. 3 . . 5 . 
. . . 4 . . 

We'll solve step-by-step using naked singles, exclusions, and box-line logic. Focus on units with most clues first.

Step 1: Row 1 Analysis (Top-Left 2x3 Box)

Row 1 has 1 in column 3. Top-left box (rows 1-2, cols 1-3) sees 1 (r1c3), 2 (r2c2). Missing: 3,4,5,6.

• Column 1: No 6 (r5c2 has 3 nearby, but check full). Row 1 col 1 can't be 1 (row), can't be 2/3 (r2c2/r3c1 blocks).
• Actually, r1c1: Possible 4,5,6 (exclude 1 row, later 2/3). But look at column 3: 1 (r1), nothing else yet.

Start with obvious: Look at row 3, has 3 (c1),5 (c4).

Step 2: Naked Singles in Columns and Boxes

Column 6: Clues 6 (r2),6 (r4)—wait, r2c5=6, r4c6=6. Column 6 empty except r4c6=6.

Column 6 possibilities narrow fast.

• r6c4=4 blocks row 6. Column 4 has 5 (r3c4).
• r1c6=5: Only spot in row 1 top-right box (r1-2 c4-6). Can't be 6 (r2c5), excludes 1 (r1c3 peers via row/box).

Grid now:

  1 . . . . 5
. 2 . . 6 . 
3 . . 5 . . 
. . 4 . . 6
. 3 . . 5 . 
. . . 4 . . 

Step 3: Row 2 Completion (Right Box)

Row 2 top-right box: 6 (c5), 5 (r1c6 above). Missing 1,2,3,4 but 2 in c2.

• r2c6: Only 4 left (exclude 1-3,5-6 via row/peers: 2 own row,6 own,5 above box).
• r2c6=4.

Now row 2: . 2 . . 6 4

Step 4: Column 1 Breakthrough

Column 1: 3 (r3). Top-left box needs 6,4,5 (1,2,3 placed-ish).

• r1c1: Can't 3 (r3c1),2 (r2c2 box),1 (r1c3). r6c1 empty but later. Only 6 fits r1c1 (check col1 no other 6 blocks).
• r1c1=6.

6 1 . . . 5
. 2 . . 6 4 
3 . . 5 . . 

Step 5: Chain Reactions in Left Boxes

Top-left box: 6(r1c1),1(r1c3),2(r2c2). Missing 3,4,5.

• r2c1: Can't 6/1/2 box,3 (r3c1 row? No, col1). But row2 has 2,6,4. Possible 1,3,5.
• Actually r2c1=5: Only left after exclude 1 (will see col3), but check: col1 no 5 yet, box needs it.
• Column 2: 2(r2),3(r5). r1c2 can't 6(r1c1 row),1(row). r1c2=4 (pairs with box missing).

Update:

6 4 1 . . 5
5 2 . . 6 4 
3 . . 5 . . 

Step 6: Middle Row and Box Fills

Row 3 left box (r3-4 c1-3): 3(r3c1),4(r4c3). Missing 1,2,5,6 but 5 r3c4 outside.

• r3c2: Can't 3(row),4(box). Column2 has 2(r2),4(r1). 1 or 6, but see r4c1.
• r4c1: Row4 has 4(c3),6(c6),3(r5c2 nearby). Column1:6(r1),5(r2),3(r3). So r4c1=1 or 2.
• r3c2=1: Because if 6, then box forces issues with 5 missing wrong.
• Then r3c3=6 (row3 missing, box).

Grid progress:

6 4 1 . . 5
5 2 . . 6 4 
3 1 6 5 . . 
. . 4 . . 6
. 3 . . 5 . 
. . . 4 . . 

Step 7: Bottom-Left Box and Row 5

Bottom-left (r5-6 c1-3): 3(r5c2),4(r6c4 but c4). Missing many.

• Row 5: 3(c2),5(c5). Column 4 emptyish.
• r5c1=4? Wait, column1 remaining r4c1,r5c1,r6c1: numbers 1,2,4 left (3,5,6 placed).
• r4c1=2: Naked single after exclusions (row4 sees 3,4,5,6 later).
• r5c3=2? No, row5. Actually r4c2=5 (box needs, col2:4r1,2r2,1r3,3r5—5/6 left but patterns).

Continue logically: r4c2=5, r4c5=1? Wait, fill r5c6=1? No.

Step 8: Right Columns and Final Exclusions

Column 5: 6(r2),5(r5). r1c5=3 (row1:6,4,1,5 placed, missing 2,3— but box).

• Top-right box row1-2 c4-6: 5,3?,6,4 placed. r1c4=2, r1c5=3.
• r1c4=2, r1c5=3.
• Row3 right: r3c5=4, r3c6=2 (only left).

Near completion:

6 4 1 2 3 5
5 2 . 1 6 4 
3 1 6 5 4 2 
. 5 4 . 1 6
4 3 2 6 5 1 
1 6 5 4 2 3 

Step 9: Last Fills

Row2 c3=3 (only missing). r4c5=1 already? Patterns close: r2c4=1, r5c1=4, r5c3=2, r5c4=6, r5c6=1, r6c1=1? No r6c1=1, r6c2=6, r6c3=5, r6c5=2, r6c6=3, r4c5=1 yes.

Bottom-right box forces r6c5=2, r6c6=3 etc. All singles now.

This LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #123 W/ Stripes solves via systematic elimination. Practice daily for speed!