LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #148 (A+B=C) - January 6, 2026: Step-by-Step Solution Walkthrough

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #148 titled A+B=C (Question ID: 148, published January 6, 2026) is a tricky 6x6 puzzle. Here's the initial grid with pre-filled clues:

1 2 3 _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ 2 4 6 _
_ 1 4 5 _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ 2 3 5

We'll solve it step by step using logic: naked singles, exclusions, and box-line interactions. Focus on one cell or unit at a time to fill the grid logically.

Step 1: Top-Left 2x3 Box - Spot the Naked Single

The top-left box already has 1, 2, 3. Row 3 adds 2 (already present), so remaining numbers are 4, 5, 6. Look at row 1, columns 4-6: no clues yet. But column 6 in row 3 is empty and sees 6 from row 3 col 5. Check possibilities.

In row 1 col 6: can't be 1,2,3 (row/box), can't be 6 (col from row 3). Row 2 col 6 empty too. But top-right box (cols 4-6, rows 1-3) needs 1-6. Row 3 col 6 must be 1 (only option left: excludes 2,4,6 from row/box, 4 from row 3 col 4).

1 2 3 _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ 2 4 6 1
_ 1 4 5 _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ 2 3 5

Step 2: Fill Top-Left Box Completion

Now top-left box (rows 1-3, cols 1-3): row 1 has 1,2,3; row 3 has 2. Missing 4,5,6 but arranged. Row 2 cols 1-3 empty. Column 1: row 4 has nothing blocking yet. Column 1 row 2 can't be 1 (row 1). But row 2 col 3 sees 2,3 from row 1.

Row 2 col 1: only 5 possible (excludes 1-4,6 from various). Actually, check columns: col 1 empty below. Precise: top-left needs 4,5,6 in row 2 positions, but col 2 has row 4=1, row 1=2. Row 2 col 2=4 (pairs with exclusions).

1 2 3 6 _ 4
5 4 6 _ _ 2
_ _ 2 4 6 1
_ 1 4 5 _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ 2 3 5

Step 3: Middle-Left Box and Column Chains

Middle-left box (rows 4-6, cols 1-3): has row 4 col 2=1, row 4 col 3=4, row 6 col 4=2? No, col 4 is right. Row 4: _ 1 4 5 _ _. Col 1 row 4: sees 1 from row 4 col 2. From earlier fills, row 1 col 1=1, so col 1: 5 in row 2, so row 4 col 1=6 (excludes 1,5; needs 2,3,6 but pairs).

Chain: row 5 col 1 empty, but bottom box fills later. Column 3: 3 top, 4 row 4, 2 row 3 → row 5 col 3=5.

1 2 3 6 5 4
5 4 6 3 _ 2
3 _ 2 4 6 1
6 1 4 5 _ _
2 _ 5 _ _ _
_ _ _ 2 3 5

Step 4: Right Boxes and Row Completions

Top-right box now: row 1:5,4; row 2:3?,2; row 3:4,6,1 → place 3 in row 2 col 4. Row 3 col 1=3 (col 1 needs it, excludes others).

Middle-right box (rows 4-6 cols 4-6): row 4 col 4=5, row 6=2,3,5. Row 4 col 5=2? Check exclusions: row 4 needs 2,3,6 left. Col 5 sees 5 row 4, 6 row 3 → etc.

1 2 3 6 5 4
5 4 6 3 1 2
3 5 2 4 6 1
6 1 4 5 2 3
2 3 5 _ 4 _
4 6 1 2 3 5

Step 5: Final Fills - Naked Singles Everywhere

Row 5: 2,3,5 placed → col 4 row 5=1 (only left), col 6 row 5=6. Bottom-left: row 6 col 1=4 (excludes 1-3,5,6 used), col 2=6, col 3=1. Row 5 col 4=1 confirmed.

All rows, columns, and 2x3 boxes now complete with 1-6 uniquely. This logical path unlocks the full grid.

Practice these LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku techniques daily for faster solves. Check the solution page for the verified grid!