LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #168 "Cut Out?" - Step-by-Step Solution Guide (January 26, 2026)

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #168 "Cut Out?" is a tricky 6x6 logic puzzle that tests your deduction skills. With clues like 5 and 2 in the top-left, 1 and 6 next to them, and patterns in the bottom-right 2x3 box fully outlined, we'll break it down cell by cell. Follow this walkthrough to fill every row, column, and 2x3 box with digits 1-6 exactly once. Keywords: LinkedIn Games, Mini Sudoku answer, Question ID 168, published January 26, 2026.

Visualizing the Starting Grid

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  _
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  _
Row 3: _  _  5  4  1  6
Row 4: _  _  1  _  _  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: _  _  6  2  3  5

Label columns A-F and rows 1-6 for reference. The six 2x3 boxes are: Top-left (A1-B3), Top-right (C1-F3? Wait, standard 6x6 divides into six 2x3: boxes 1 (rows1-3,cols1-2), box2 (r1-3,c3-4? No: typically two columns per box horizontally: box1 r1-3 c1-2, box2 r1-3 c3-4, box3 r1-3 c5-6; box4 r4-6 c1-2, etc. But clues suggest vertical 3x2? Standard is 2 rows x 3 cols for mini. Assume: boxes are 2x3 blocks: rows1-2 cols1-3 | cols4-6; rows3-4 cols1-3 | cols4-6; rows5-6 cols1-3 | cols4-6. But looking at clues, row3 has 5 4 1 6 in c3-6, so likely boxes cols1-3 and 4-6 per two rows. Proceed with logic.

Step 1: Fill Top-Left Box and Early Deductions

Look at row 1: Has 5 (A1), 2 (B1). Row 3 col C:5 blocks 5 in row3. Focus on column A.

• Column A: 5 (row1), 1 (row2). Missing 2,3,4,6. But row1 has 2, so no 2 in colA row3-6.
• Bottom-right box (rows3-6, cols D-F? Clues in rows3-6 colsC-F heavy: row3: C5 D4 E1 F6; row4 C1 ? ? 3(F? Col F row4=3); row5 C2 ? ? 4(F); row6 C6 D2 E3 F5. This box rows3-6 cols C-F is almost full.

Examine the rightmost 2x3 box (rows 3-6, columns D-F): Contains 4(row3D),1(row3E),6(row3F), 3(row4F),4(row5F),5(row6F),2(row6D),3(row6E). Numbers present: 1,2,3,4,5,6—but wait, two 4s? No: row3D=4, row5F=4 different cells. List unique: but box must have each 1-6 once, but it's 4x3=12 cells? Mistake: 6x6 mini Sudoku uses six **2x3 boxes**: specifically, two rows by three columns each. Boxes: - Box1: rows1-2, cols1-3 - Box2: rows1-2, cols4-6 - Box3: rows3-4, cols1-3 - Box4: rows3-4, cols4-6 - Box5: rows5-6, cols1-3 - Box6: rows5-6, cols4-6

Confirming clues fit:
Box1 (r1-2 c1-3): 5,2 (r1c1-2),1,6 (r2c1-2), r1c3 empty, r2c3 empty.
Box4 (r3-4 c4-6): r3:4(c4?),1(c5),6(c6); r4: empty(c4),empty(c5),3(c6).
Yes.

Step 2: Solve Box6 (rows5-6, cols4-6) - Almost Full

Box6 has r6: 2(c4),3(c5),5(c6). So needs 1,4,6 but r5 c6=4 already. So r5c4 and r5c5 need 1 and 6.

• Column F (6): has r3=6, r4=3, r5=4, r6=5. So missing 1,2. But 2 in r6c4 (not colF), colF needs 1,2.
• r5c6=4, so colF r1-2 need 1 and 2.

But first, column C row6=6, so 6 in box6 colC? Cols4-6 are D E F. ColC is box5.

Key Early Fill: Row3 Column A and B

Look at column C: r3=5, r4=1, r5=2, r6=6. So colC has 1,2,5,6. Missing 3 and 4 in r1c3 and r2c3.

• Row1 c3: in box1 with row1:5,2 so missing 1,3,4,6 but row1 needs all1-6, has5,2 missing1,3,4,6.
• But colC r1 can't be1 (r2c1=1 same row? No colC. r1c3 colC.
• Box1 (r1-2 c1-3): has5(r1c1),2(r1c2),1(r2c1),6(r2c2). So present:1,2,5,6. Missing **3 and 4** for r1c3 and r2c3.
• ColC has r3-6:5,1,2,6 so r1c3 and r2c3 must be 3 and 4 (the missing for colC).

Now, row1 missing1,3,4,6 in c3-6. But r1c3 must be 3 or4.

Row2 has1,6 missing2,3,4,5 in c3-6. But2 in r1c2 same box? For r2c3:3 or4.

Step 3: Pinpoint r1c3 = 3

• Assume. Look at number **3** placements.
• 3 appears in r4 colF=3, r6 colE=3.
• Row1: no3 yet. ColC: no3 (has5,1,2,6 in r3-6).
• Also box1 missing3,4.
• Now check if3 can be r2c3: row2 would have3, but let's see further.

Look at box3 (rows3-4 cols1-3): r3c3=5, r4c3=1. So present1,5. r5c3 wait no box3 r3-4.

Box3: r3 A B empty, c=5; r4 A B empty, c=1. So needs2,3,4,6 in four empties.

Better: start with obvious singles.

Obvious Fills: Column F Analysis

Column F: r3=6, r4=3, r5=4, r6=5. Missing **1 and 2** in r1F and r2F.

• Box2 (r1-2 c4-6): no clues yet, all empty originally.
• Row1 needs1,3,4,6 in c3,4,5,6 (missing those).
• Row2 needs2,3,4,5 in c3-6.

Number **1** in colF can only be r1F or r2F.

Step 4: Box4 (rows3-4 cols4-6) - Find Singles

Box4: r3 D=4, E=1, F=6; r4 D=empty, E=empty, F=3. Present:1,3,4,6. Missing **2 and 5** for r4D and r4E.

• Now, column D: r3=4, r6=2. Column E: r6=3.
• Look for where 2 and 5 go.
• **5 cannot be r4D**: why? ColD r6=2 no, but check row4: r4c3=1, r4F=3. Row4 missing2,4,5,6 (has1,3).
• But box4 missing2,5.
• Column D has r3=4, so no4. But to find single.
• **Number 5 in box4**: can it be r4D? ColD: what blocks? ColD has only r3=4 so far, r6=2. No5 yet. Row4 no5.
• r4E colE: r6E=3 no5.
• Need more.

Expand: look at column D overall.

Column D: r3=4, r6=2. Others empty. But box4 needs2 or5 in r4D—but2 is already in r6D=2 same colD! So **2 cannot be r4D** (same column D).

Therefore, r4D cannot be2, so must be **5** (the other missing in box4).

Fill: Row4 Column D = 5

Progress Grid After First Fill

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  _ 
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  _ 
Row 3: _  _  5  4  1  6
Row 4: _  _  1  5  _  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: _  _  6  2  3  5

Step 5: Continue Box4 - Now r4E = 2

Box4 now has r4D=5, so missing only **2** for r4E.

Fill: Row4 Column E = 2

Step 6: Box6 Now Solvable

Box6 (r5-6 c4-6): r5F=4, r6 D=2 E=3 F=5. Present 2,3,4,5. Missing **1 and 6** for r5D and r5E.

• Row5: has c3=2, c6=4. So row5 has2,4 missing1,3,5,6.
• Column D now: r3=4, r4=5, r6=2. So colD has2,4,5. Missing1,3,6 in r1D,r2D,r5D.
• Column E: r4=2, r6=3. Missing1,4,5,6 but4 in r5F same row no, colE.

**1 in box6**: possible r5D or r5E.

Check if1 blocked. ColD no1 yet. ColE no1.

But look at row5 missing1,3,5,6 but c1-2 empty, c3=2,c4?,c5?,c6=4.

Step 7: Column B Analysis for More Fills

Perhaps jump to top.

Back to box1: missing3,4 in r1c3, r2c3.

ColC missing3,4 in r1c3 r2c3 yes.

Now with new fills, look at **number 4**.

4 appears in r3D=4, r5F=4.

Row1 needs4 somewhere in c3-6.

Can 4 be r1c3? ColC has r3=5,r4=1,r5=2,r6=6 no4 yes possible.

r2c3 colC also possible.

Look at row3: _ _ 5 4 1 6. Has1,4,5,6 missing **2 and 3** in c1 and c2 (cols A B).

• Box3 (r3-4 c1-3): now r3c3=5, r4c3=1, r4D=5 but D col4 not in box3.
• Box3 empties: r3A, r3B, r4A, r4B.
• Present in box3:1 (r4c3),5 (r3c3).
• Missing 2,3,4,6.

Row3 missing2,3 in A3 B3.

Perfect! So r3 A and B are **2 and 3** in some order.

Step 8: Determine r3A and r3B

Column A: r1=5, r2=1. No2,3 yet.

Column B: r1=2, r2=6. Has2 already in r1B.

So column B cannot have another **2** in r3B. Therefore, r3B cannot be2, must be **3**. Thus r3A = **2**.

Fill: Row3 ColA = 2, Row3 ColB = 3

Updated Grid

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  _ 
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  _ 
Row 3: 2 3 5  4  1  6
Row 4: _  _  1  5  2  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: _  _  6  2  3  5

Step 9: Box3 Almost Done

Box3 now: r3 A2 B3 C5; r4 C1, A B empty. Present:1,2,3,5. Missing **4 and 6** for r4A and r4B.

Step 10: Top Box1 - r1c3 and r2c3 are 3 and 4

Box1 present1,2,5,6 missing3,4.

Row3 now has2,3 so colA r3=2 blocks2 in colA. ColB r3=3 blocks3 in colB.

For r1c3 (colC): row1 has5,2 missing1,3,4,6.

But now, since row3=2,3,5,4,1,6 — row3 has **all 1-6** now! Great.

ColA now r1=5 r2=1 r3=2, missing **3,4,6** in r4A r5A r6A.

ColB: r1=2 r2=6 r3=3, missing1,4,5 in r4B-6.

Now, r1c3 colC: colC now r3=5 r4=1 r5=2 r6=6, missing **3,4** — yes still for r1c3 r2c3.

Can we place? Look at 4 in row1: possible c3?

Number **4** locations: already r3D=4, r5F=4. So row1,2,4,6 no4 yet.

Column C no4.

Box1: 4 must go in r1c3 or r2c3.

Check if r1c3 can be4: yes so far.

r2c3=4? Row2 has1,6 missing2,3,4,5.

To distinguish: look at column F again.

Step 11: Place 1 and 2 in Column F Top

ColF: r3=6 r4=3 r5=4 r6=5 missing1,2 in r1F r2F.

Box2 (r1-2 c4-6) empty so far, needs all1-6.

Row1 missing1,3,4,6 in c3 D E F.

Row2 missing2,3,4,5 in c3 D E F.

Since colF r1 and r2 are1 and2 (in some order).

But row1 missing1 yes, but not2 (row1 has2 in B1).

Row1 **cannot have 2** again, so r1F cannot be2, must be **1**. Thus r2F = **2**.

Fill: Row1 ColF = 1, Row2 ColF = 2

Great Progress Grid

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  1
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: _  _  1  5  2  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: _  _  6  2  3  5

Step 12: Row1 Now Easy

Row1: 5,2,_,_,_,1 missing **3,4,6** in c3,c4,c5 (cols C D E).

Three cells, three numbers: but use columns/boxes.

ColC r1: as before, 3 or4 (since colC missing only3,4 now).

ColD r1: colD has r3=4 r4=5 r6=2, missing1,3,6 (r1D r2D r5D). But r1F=1 so row1 has1, no1 in r1D.

ColE r1: colE has r4=2 r6=3, missing1,4,5,6.

Box1 r1c3 still 3 or4.

Let's see number6 in row1: possible c3? ColC r6=6 no, colC has6 in r6 yes blocks6 in colC. So r1c3 cannot be6.

Row1 missing3,4,6 but r1c3 cannot be6 (colC has6), cannot be1 (already placed), etc.

Since only3 spots for3,4,6 and r1c3 colC blocks6 (r6c3=6), so6 must be in r1D or r1E.

Step 13: Resolve Box1 - Place 4 and 3

Now number **4** cannot be r1D: why? ColD r3=4 already.

So row1 4 cannot be r1D (colD has4).

Possible for4: r1c3 (colC no4), r1E (colE no4).

Row1 positions for4: c3 or c5 (E).

Now for3: colC no3? ColC r3=5 r4=1 r5=2 r6=6 no3 yes.

ColD no3 yet.

ColE no3? r4E=2 r6E=3 — oh r6E=3, so colE **has 3**, cannot have3 in r1E.

Therefore, row1 cannot place3 in c5 (r1E), so3 must be in r1c3 or r1D.

But now, since box1 needs3 in either r1c3 or r2c3, and...

Moreover, r1c3 must be3 or4 from colC.

Suppose r1c3=4, then box1 r2c3 must be3.

Is that possible? Check row2: would have r2c3=3, ok since row2 missing2,3,4,5 but has r2F=2 now, so missing3,4,5 in c3 D E.

Alternative: r1c3=3, r2c3=4.

To decide: look at colD r2 possible.

Number **3** in colC: since colC missing3,4 and if r1c3=4 then r2c3=3 ok.

Need contradiction.

Look at box2 now partially: r1F=1 r2F=2.

Continue to row2.

Step 14: Box5 (rows5-6 cols1-3)

Box5: r5 c3=2, r6 c3=6, others empty r5A B, r6A B.

Present2,6. Missing1,3,4,5.

Row6: c3=6 D2 E3 F5, so row6 has2,3,5,6 missing **1,4** in c1 A and c2 B.

Perfect! r6A and r6B =1 and4.

Now column A r6: colA has r1=5 r2=1 r3=2, missing3,4,6.

So r6A can be3,4,6 but row6 needs1,4 so **1 or4** possible (3,6 not needed for row6).

ColB: r1=2 r2=6 r3=3, missing1,4,5. Row6 needs1,4 both possible.

Number1 in row6: colA no1? ColA r2=1 already! So cannot r6A=1.

Therefore r6A cannot be1, must be **4**, and r6B= **1**.

Fill: Row6 ColA= 4, ColB= 1

Updated Grid

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  1
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: _  _  1  5  2  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: 4 1 6  2  3  5

Step 15: Box3 Complete

Box3 (r3-4 c1-3): r3:2,3,5; r4 c3=1; missing4,6 for r4A r4B.

ColA now: r1=5 r2=1 r3=2 r6=4, so colA has1,2,4,5 missing **3,6** for r4A r5A.

So r4A =3 or6.

ColB: r1=2 r2=6 r3=3 r6=1, has1,2,3,6 missing **4,5** for r4B r5B.

So r4B=4 or5.

Box3 missing4,6 so r4A must be **6** (since colB can't have6, r4B can't be6, colB missing4,5 only).

Yes! r4A cannot be4? Wait no, but since r4B colB can only4 or5, cannot be6, so the6 must go to r4A.

Fill: Row4 ColA = 6

Then r4B must be **4** (missing4 for box3).

Fill: Row4 ColB = 4

Grid Now

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  1
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: 6 4 1  5  2  3
Row 5: _  _  2  _  _  4
Row 6: 4  1  6  2  3  5

Step 16: Column A Complete Except r5A

ColA: r1=5 r2=1 r3=2 r4=6 r6=4, missing **3** for r5A.

Fill: Row5 ColA = 3

Step 17: Box5 and Row5, ColB

ColB now: r1=2 r2=6 r3=3 r4=4 r6=1, missing **5** for r5B.

Fill: Row5 ColB = 5

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  1
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  _  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: 6  4  1  5  2  3
Row 5: 3 5 2  _  _  4
Row 6: 4  1  6  2  3  5

Step 18: Box6 - r5 D and E: 1 and 6

Row5 now:3,5,2, ?,?,4. Has2,3,4,5 missing **1 and 6** for c4 D and c5 E. Perfect match for box6 missing1,6.

Now distinguish: colD missing for r5D: colD now r3=4 r4=5 r6=2, and top? Still empty r1D r2D, but missing1,3,6 overall (since 2,4,5 placed).

ColE: r4=2 r6=3, missing1,4,5,6.

But row5 needs1,6 there.

**6 cannot be r5D?** ColD r? No block yet.

Look at r1D colD: but let's see number6.

Since row5 c3=2 blocks nothing new.

ColD has no6 yet, colE no6.

Need top to decide? No, perhaps later but actually we can fill top first.

Step 19: Back to Row1 and Box1

Row1:5 2 _ _ _ 1 missing **3,4,6** in c3 C, D, E.

ColC missing only **3** now? Wait colC: r1? r2? r3=5 r4=1 r5=2 r6=6. Still missing3,4 but wait earlier two spots.

ColC r5=2 yes.

But now colD: placed r3=4 r4=5 r6=2, no3,6 yet.

ColE: r4=2 r6=3 no4? No4 yet, no6.

Earlier: colE has3(r6),2(r4).

r1c3 (colC) must be 3 or4, as colC missing3,4.

Now, row1 cannot have3 in r1E (c5) because colE r6E=3 blocks3.

Can have4 in r1E? ColE no4 yes.

6 cannot be r1c3 because colC r6c3=6 blocks.

4 cannot be r1D colD r3D=4 blocks.

3 cannot be r1D? ColD no3 blocks? No block.

6 can be r1D (colD no6), r1E (colE no6).

Singles: for r1c3, possible numbers considering row1 missing3,4,6 but constraints:

• r1c3 possible: from colC:3 or4; from row:3,4,6 but6 blocked by colC, so 3 or4 ok.

To split: suppose we place6 first.

Where can6 go in row1: not c3 (colC6), so c4 D or c5 E.

Now number6 placements overall: already r3F=6, r4A=6, r2? r6c3=6 colC, r3c6=6.

Row1 no6 yet.

Now, look at box2 r1-2 c4-6: has r1F=1 r2F=2, others empty. Missing3,4,5,6.

Perhaps check row2 first.

Row2:1 6 _ _ _ 2 missing **3,4,5** in c3 C D E.

r2c3 colC: must be the other of3,4 not in r1c3.

ColD r2 possible3,4,5? Row2 missing those.

ColE r2.

Step 20: Place 6 in Row5

Wait, back to row5: missing1,6 in D E.

Number **6** already in colD? No. ColE no.

But look where else6 can go.

Perhaps fill top with new info.

ColA complete almost, wait colA r5=3 filled.

Now column A full:5,1,2,6,3,4 all 1-6 yes.

ColB full:2,6,3,4,5,1 yes.

ColC: r3=5 r4=1 r5=2 r6=6, r1 and r2 to be3 and4.

Key: Number 5 in Row2

Where is5? Already r1A=5, r3C=5, r4D=5, r5B=5, r6F=5.

So row2 no5 yet, must have5 in c3 D or E.

Row2 missing3,4,5 so yes one is5.

Can5 be r2c3 colC? ColC has r3=5 already! Blocks5 in colC.

Therefore r2c3 cannot be5.

Thus5 must be in r2D or r2E.

Now colD has r4=5 already! So cannot r2D=5.

Therefore, **r2E must be 5** (only spot left for5 in row2).

Fill: Row2 Column E = 5

Fantastic Chain!

Row 1: 5  2  _  _  _  1
Row 2: 1  6  _  _  5  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: 6  4  1  5  2  3
Row 5: 3  5  2  _  _  4
Row 6: 4  1  6  2  3  5

Step 21: Row2 Now Missing 3,4 in c3 and c4

Row2:1,6,_,_,5,2 missing **3 and 4** in c3 and D.

Now r2c3 colC missing3,4 yes exactly!

So r2c3 and r2D =3 and4.

Now colD r2: colD missing1,3,6 now? Wait placed r3=4 r4=5 r6=2.

4 already in colD r3, so r2D cannot be4, must be **3**.

Thus r2c3 = **4**.

Fill: Row2 ColD = 3, ColC = 4

Step 22: Row1 c3 = 3 (colC now has4 in r2, so 3 left)

ColC: r2c3 now4, so missing3 for r1c3.

Fill: Row1 ColC = 3

Row1 Missing 4 and 6 in D and E

Row1:5 2 3 _ _ 1 missing **4,6** in c4 D and c5 E.

But colD has4 already r3, so cannot r1D=4, thus r1D= **6**, r1E= **4**.

Fill: Row1 ColD = 6, ColE = 4

Final Steps: Row5 D and E

Row 1: 5  2  3  6 4 1
Row 2: 1  6  4  3  5  2
Row 3: 2  3  5  4  1  6
Row 4: 6  4  1  5  2  3
Row 5: 3  5  2  _  _  4
Row 6: 4  1  6  2  3  5

Row5:3 5 2 _ _ 4 missing1,6 in D E.

ColD now full check: r1=6, r2=3, r3=4, r4=5, r6=2, so missing **1** for r5D.

Thus Row5 ColD = 1, and ColE = 6

Verify: colE: r1=4, r2=5, r3=1? r3E=1 yes, r4=2, r5=6, r6=3. Yes:1,2,3,4,5,6 perfect.

All Filled! Check Boxes and Rows

Every row, column, and 2x3 box now contains 1-6 exactly once. This solves LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #168 "Cut Out?" for January 26, 2026.

Practice these techniques: start with fullest areas, use singles in boxes/rows/columns, and chain deductions. Check the solution page to verify your grid. Tomorrow's puzzle awaits in LinkedIn Games!