LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #171 (Sudoku Hut) Step-by-Step Solution

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #171, named Sudoku Hut and published on January 29, 2026 (Question ID: 171), is a classic 6x6 puzzle. Dive into this LinkedIn game solution with a logical walkthrough using basic techniques like scanning rows, columns, and 2x3 boxes to fill every empty cell. Let's solve it row by row and box by box.

Initial Puzzle Grid

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

Step 1: Fill Obvious Singles in Rows and Boxes

Start with row 2: It has 1 and 6. Scanning the row and its boxes, the only spot for 5 (missing from row needs and top-right box) is column 6. Place 5 in row 2, column 6.

Row 5 now has 4 and 5. The top-left box (rows 1-3, cols 1-3) misses 6 after placing other numbers; column 3 can't take it elsewhere, so 6 in row 1, column 3.

Row 6 has 5,6,1,3. Bottom-left box misses 2 and 4; row 5 blocks 4 there, so 2 in row 6, column 1. Then, 4 in row 6, column 2 as the last for that box.

Step 2: Column Scans and Box Completions

Column 6 now updated: Row 4 has 2, row 5 has nothing yet but check box. Bottom-right box (rows 4-6, cols 4-6) has 2,5,3; misses 1,4,6. Row 6 has 1,3 so 6 in row 4, column 6 (only spot left avoiding row/column duplicates).

Column 1: Row 4 has 3, row 6 has 2. Top-left box needs 1,5,6; 1 in row 5, column 1 fits row 5 (has 4,5) and box.

Updated grid snippet:
1 . . 6 . . 5?
2 . . 1 6 . 5
3 . 2 . . 4 .
4 3 . . . . 6
5 1 4 . . 5 .
6 2 4 6 1 3 .

Step 3: Naked Singles Emerge

Row 3: Has 2,4. Column 6 empty in row 3; bottom-right box needs 4? No, row 3 box (rows 1-3, cols 4-6) has 6,5,4—wait, scan: 1 in row 3, column 4 as only missing in box after updates.

Column 5: Clues 4,5,3. Row 2 has nothing; top-right box misses 3 after 1,6,5 so 3 in row 2, column 5.

Row 1 top-right box: 6,5,3 now; misses 1,2,4. Column 5 row 1 only for 4 (others blocked), so 4 in row 1, column 5.

Step 4: Crosshatching and Eliminations

Look for 3s: Row 4 needs 3 (has none yet); column 2 open, top-left misses it after placements. 3 in row 4, column 2 via column 2 scan (avoids row 3's 2).

Bottom-left box full? Row 5 col 1=1, row 6=2,4; row 4 col1=3, col2=3? Wait, adjust: Actually, row 4 col2 gets 1 later—no, precise: Column 2 row 5 only for 3 (row 5 has 1,4,5; box needs 6? Chain: 3 in row 5, column 2 as sole option.

Continue: Top-left box row 1 col1=5 (only left: misses 5 after 6,1,3,2,4 placed around).

Step 5: Filling the Rest Logically

Row 3 column 6: Now only 6 left for row 3 (has 2,1,4). Place 6.

Column 4: Updates lead to row 1 col4=4? Chain from box: Top-middle box (rows1-3 cols4-6) resolves to 2 in row 1 col1? Progress: Row 1 col2=3 (scan), etc.

Row by row, eliminations fill: Row 3 col1=6, row 3 col3=5; row 4 col3=4, row 4 col4=5, row 4 col5=1; row 5 col3=2? Precise singles cascade.

Mid-progress:
1 5 6 . 4 . .
2 . 3 1 6 . 5
3 6 2  . . 4 1?
... (continues)

Step 6: Final Chains and Box Locks

Last boxes: Top-left locks with 2 in row 1 col3? No: Row 1: 5,3? Standard scan: Remaining cells like row 2 col1=4, row 2 col2=2; row 1 col6=1? Use crosshatch for 2s/6s.