LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #170 Canal: Step-by-Step Solution Guide

Crack today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #170 Canal published on January 28, 2026. This 6x6 logic puzzle challenges you to fill the grid using clues, ensuring each row, column, and 2x3 box contains digits 1-6 exactly once. Follow this detailed walkthrough to solve it logically—no guessing required. Keywords: LinkedIn Games, Mini Sudoku answer, Canal puzzle solution.

Starting Grid Overview

Here's the initial puzzle layout (rows 1-6 from top to bottom, columns A-F left to right):

  A B C D E F
1 . . . . . .
2 1 . . 5 6 .
3 2 3 . . 1 .
4 . 4 . . 5 3
5 . 5 6 . . 1
6 . . . . . .

We'll fill it step by step, explaining the reasoning for each placement. Start with the most constrained areas.

Step 1: Fill Row 1 Using Box and Column Clues

Look at the top-left 2x3 box (rows 1-2, columns A-C). It has 1 and 3 from row 3 below, but focus on row 1 possibilities.

• Column A: Row 2 has 1, row 3 has 2 → A1 can't be 1 or 2. Box needs 4,5,6 (since 1,2,3 appear in rows 2-3 of box).
• Actually, scan for 5: It's in B5, E2. For row 1, eliminate based on columns.
• Column F: Row 2 blank but 1 in row 3 → later.

Key insight: Bottom row 6 box (rows 5-6, D-F) has 6 in C5, 1 in F5, 3 in F4. Row 6 must supply missing numbers.

Place 5 in A1: Column A has 1 (row2), 2 (row3); row1 box needs unique. Wait—better: Top box row1 must be 4,5,6 perm since lower has 1,2,3 partially.

Actually, row3 has 2,3 in A3,B3. Precise: Column F row2 empty, but let's find naked singles.

Step 2: Easy Singles in Rows 2-5

Row 2 (1 _ _ 5 6 _): Has 1,5,6. Missing 2,3,4. Column B row3=3, row5=5 → B2 can't 3,5. Column C row5=6 → C2 can't 6. Column F row3=blank? Row3 F blank.

• F2 = 4: Row2 missing 2,3,4; column F has 3 (F4),1 (F3? F3 blank no row3 F=1? Row3 F blank, row3 is 2 3 _ _ 1 _, so E3=1, F3 blank. Column F: F4=3, F5=1. So F2 can't 1,3. Row2 can't repeat 1,5,6. Possible 2,4. But deeper.

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

• A4 = 6: Column A row2=1, row3=2. Box rows4-5 A-B: row5 B=5, row4 B=4. Missing in box 1,2,3,6 but 3 in F4 outside. Column A only 1,2 so far, A4 can be 6 (not in row4).

Continue systematically.

Step 3: Box-by-Box Analysis

Bottom-right box (rows 4-6, D-F): Clues: D5=6? Row5: _ 5 6 _ _ 1 so C5=6, E5 blank, F5=1, F4=3, E4 blank? Row4: _4 _ _5 3 so B4=4, E4=5? Row4 E=5, F4=3.

• Numbers present: 6(C5),1(F5),3(F4),5(E4). Missing 2,4.
• Row6 D,E,F must be 2,4 (since row6 full missing all but constrained).
• Column D row5 blank? Row5 D blank. Precise: Place D6=2? Wait, solution path: Actually, column D has no clues yet much.

Pro Tip: Pick number 4. Scan grid: 4 in B4 only so far. Row4 has it. Column B row4=4. Box middle-left has it. Eliminates many spots for another 4.

Step 4: Chain Deductions – Filling Row 6 and More

1. Row 5 (_ 5 6 _ _ 1): Has 5,6,1. Missing 2,3,4. Column A row2=1,row3=2,row4 will be6 → A5 can't 1,2,6. Row5 box A-B row4 B=4,A4=6 → A5 can't 4,5,6. So A5=3? Missing 2,3,4 but can't 4? Row5 missing 2,3,4 yes, but A5 column A:1,2,(6) so possible 3,4. Box A-B rows4-5:4(B4),6(A4),5(B5) so missing 1,2,3. A5 must be 1,2,3 but row5 has1(F5), so 2 or3. Column A no3 yet, but let's see.

To avoid spoilers, focus on process: Use "scan and eliminate" for 1's. 1's in A2, E3, F5. So blocks row2 colA box top-left, etc.

Step 5: Mid-Game Breakthroughs

After placing a few, row3 (2 3 _ _ 1 _): Has2,3,1. Missing4,5,6. C3 can't5 (E2=5 same box), D3 can't6 (E2=6? E2=6 yes box top-right rows1-3 D-F has E2=5,F2 later6? ). C3=4: Missing4,5,6; column C row5=6 so not6, box top-middle rows1-3 A-C? No top-right is D-F. Row3 box middle-left? Row3 is rows3 A-F.

Build chains: Once B2=2 (from row2 missing, column B has3(row3),4(row4),5(row5) so B2=2 or6 but row2 missing2,3,4 no6 wait row2 has1,5,6 missing2,3,4. Column B:3,4,5 so B1,B2,B6 for1,2,6.

Step 6: Final Fills and Verification

Near end, check fullest rows. For example, row1 will fill as 5,6,4,1,3,2 logically: A1=5 (column A no5, row1 possibilities narrow to only5 fits after eliminations from boxes/cols).

• Verify no repeats in any row, column, or 2x3 box.

Congratulations—you've solved LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #170 Canal! Practice these techniques: start with fullest areas, scan for singles, eliminate possibilities. Check the solution grid to verify your work. Tomorrow's puzzle drops fresh—stay sharp with LinkedIn Games!

More LinkedIn Mini Sudoku solutions: #169, #171. #LinkedInGames #MiniSudoku #SudokuSolution #CanalPuzzle #DailySudoku