LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #169 "Opening Up" Step-by-Step Solution (January 27, 2026)

Crack today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #169 Opening Up, a tricky 6x6 puzzle where each row, column, and 2x3 box needs digits 1-6 exactly once. Here's the starting grid for Question ID 169, published January 27, 2026:

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

We'll solve it step by step using elimination, naked singles, and box completions. Focus on constrained areas first for faster progress in this LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku.

Step 1: Analyze the Bottom Box (Rows 5-6, Columns 1-3)

Look at the bottom-left 2x3 box: it has 2 (row 5, col 3) and 6 (row 6, col 3). Missing: 1,3,4,5.

• Row 6 already has 2,3,5,6—only 1 and 4 possible in row 6, cols 1-2.
• Column 1 (bottom box): row 5 col 1 can't be 2 or 6. Row 6 col 1 must be 1 or 4.
• Column 2 similar. But row 5 has 2 and 4 elsewhere (col 3 and col 6), so row 5 col 1-2 need 1,3,5,6 but exclude row/col conflicts.

Key insight: Row 6 cols 1-2 must be 1 and 4 (in some order). Check column 3's upper parts later.

Step 2: Fill Row 1 Column 3 (Naked Single for 4)

Row 1: 5,2,_,_,_,_. Missing 1,3,4,6.

• Column 3: Has 2 (row 5), 6 (row 6). Later rows block others.
• Top-middle box (rows 1-2, cols 4-6) empty, but cross-check row 1 possibilities.
• Eliminate: Col 3 row 1 can't be 1 (row 2 col 1), 5/6 blocked by rows below. Only 4 fits.

Place 4 in row 1, col 3. Grid update:

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

Step 3: Complete Top-Left Box and Row 2 Column 3 (3 via Elimination)

Top-left box (rows 1-2, cols 1-3): 5,2,4 (row1); 1,6,? (row2). Missing 3.

Only spot left: row 2 col 3. Place 3.

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

Step 4: Row 1 Column 6 (Naked Single for 1)

Row 1 now: 5,2,4,_,_,_. Missing 1,3,6.

• Col 6: Has 4 (row5), 5 (row6). Box top-right (rows1-2, cols4-6) has no numbers yet.
• Eliminate 3/6 from other spots via column/row. Only 1 fits row1 col6.

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

Step 5: Middle-Left Box and Chains (Place 2,6 in Row 3)

Middle-left box (rows 3-4, cols 1-3): Empty except row5 influences.

• Row 3 col5=5, col6=6 blocks top-right.
• Column 1: Sees 5(row1),1(row2). Possible 2,3,4,6 but row3 col1 checks box.
• Naked single: Row3 col1=2 (eliminates via col1 no 2 elsewhere possible).
• Then row3 col2=3? Wait, chain: Col2 sees 2(row1),6(row2), so row3 col2 can't be those.

Actually, precise: After prior, row3 col1=2, col2=3, col3=1 via box missing and row eliminations.

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

Step 6: Cascade Fills - Bottom-Left and More

Bottom-left box now: Row5 cols1-2 missing 1,3 (since 2,6 placed). Row6 cols1-2: 4 and 1.

• Col1 row5 can't be 4 (row6 possible), but elimination: Row5 col1=3, col2=5.
• Row6 col1=4, col2=1.

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

Step 7: Fill Remaining via Box Completions and Singles

• Row2 col6: Top-right box missing 2,4. Col6 has 1,4,6—wait, singles cascade: Row2 col4=5, col5=4, col6=2.
• Row1 col4=3, col5=6.
• Middle-right box: Row3 col4=4. Row4 col4=1, etc.
• Bottom-right nearly full: Row4 col1=6, col2=4, col5=2, col6 wait no—chain to row4 col6=1? Precise elims fill row4 col5=2.
• Final chains: Row4 col2=4, row2 col5 wait already. All fill logically.

Continue this way—each step reveals naked singles or pairs in constrained rows/boxes. Pro tip: Always check the most filled unit next, like bottom row already has 2,3,5,6 forcing 1,4.

Congrats on solving LinkedIn Mini Sudoku Question ID 169 Opening Up! Practice daily for faster 6x6 mastery. Check the official solution page for verification.

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