LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #144 (Expansion) - Step-by-Step Solution

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #144 Expansion, published on January 2, 2026, is a tricky 6x6 puzzle (Question ID: 144). Each row, column, and 2x3 box must contain digits 1-6 exactly once. Here's the grid with clues:

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

We'll solve it step by step using logic like naked singles, process of elimination, and box completions. Focus on units with most clues first.

Step 1: Analyze Row 2 and Column 3

Row 2 has 3 in column 3, 4 in column 4, 5 in column 5. Missing: 1,2,6.

• Column 3 has 3 (row 2) and 6 (row 3). Can't have 3 or 6 elsewhere in column 3.
• Row 1, column 3: Possible 1,2,4,5 (eliminates 3,6). But check box 1 (rows 1-3, cols 1-3).

Box 1 (top-left 2x3) has 3 (r2c3), 6 (r3c2). Place 4 in r1c1? Wait, let's scan systematically.

Step 2: Fill Column 6 (Easiest Start)

Column 6 clues: 2 (r2), 1 (r4). Missing: 3,4,5,6.

• r1c6: Box 2 (r1-3,c4-6) has 4,5 (r2). Row 1 empty otherwise.
• But row 4 has 1 (c6), 3 (c5). Use elimination across boxes.

Actually, look at box 3 (r4-6,c4-6): Has 2 (r5c4), 1 (r6c4). Row 5 has 4 (c2). Naked single: r6c6 must be 5 (box 3 missing 3,5,6; but check conflicts later—process builds).

Step 3: Box 2 Completion

Box 2 (r1-3,c4-6): Clues 4(r2c4),5(r2c5),2(r2c6? Wait no, r2c6 empty). Row 2: c3=3,c4=4,c5=5 so c1,c2,c6 =1,2,6.

• c6 row2 empty, but column6 has1(r4), so row2c6=2? No—clues confirm logic.
• Place 6 in r1c6: Only spot in box2 for6 (eliminates from r3c6 via col6; r2c6 can't as row2 needs1,2 left after).

After: r1c6=6

Step 4: Row 2 Finish

Row 2 now: c3=3,4,5,c6=? Missing1,2,6 but c6 in col6 (has1 r4,6 r1 now). So r2c6=2 (only left).

• r2c1 and c2: 1 and6.
• Box1: r3c2=6, so r2c2 can't6 → r2c1=6, r2c2=1.

Step 5: Column 1 and Box 1

Column1 now r2=6. Box1: r2c3=3,r3c2=6,r2c1=6,r2c2=1. Missing2,4,5.

• r1c1: Only2 or4 or5, but row1 c6=6.
• r3c1: Same. But col1 r4=empty,r5=empty,r6=empty.
• r1c3=4 (naked? Col3: r2=3,r3=? No6 in col3 r1 as box1).

Col3: r2=3. Box1 needs4,5 left (2 also). Actually, r3c3=1 (only spot; row3 c2=6, needs1-5).

Step 6: Chain Reactions in Middle

Box 3 (r4-6,c4-6): 3(r4c5),1(r4c6),2(r5c4),1? No r6c4=1. Missing3,4,5,6 but3 placed.

• r5c6: Check row5: c2=4,c4=2. Missing1,3,5,6.
• Col6 now r1=6,r2=2,r4=1 → r5c6=3 or5. But box3: r5c6=3 (eliminates via r4c5=3 col5).

Step 7: Lower Boxes and Rows

Row4: c2=5,c5=3,c6=1. Missing2,4,6.

• c1: Box2 lower? r4c1 in box4 (r4-6,c1-3).
• Box4 has5(r4c2),4(r5c2). r4c1=2? No—logic: missing1,6 but1 in row4 c6 → r4c3? Wait.
• Actually r6c3=6 from row6 analysis (c4=1, needs2,3,4,5,6).