LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #173 (Gemstone) - Step-by-Step Solution

Crack today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #173 Gemstone, published January 31, 2026. This 6x6 puzzle challenges you to fill the grid so each row, column, and 2x3 box contains digits 1-6 exactly once. Here's the initial grid with clues:

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

We'll solve it step by step using elimination, naked singles, and scanning—focusing on the most constrained areas first. Follow along to build your skills for daily LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku puzzles.

Step 1: Scan for Naked Singles and Easy Eliminations

Start with row 3, which has clues 4 (col1), 3 (col5). Look at column 6: it has no numbers yet, but row 3 col6 is empty. Check possibilities.

• Row 3 already has 4 and 3. Column 6 sees 5 (row4), 2 (row6). Block 3 (rows3-4, cols4-6) has 3 (row3 col5), 5 (row4 col6).
• Possible for row3 col6: eliminate 3,4,5,2. Left: 1 or 6.

Now row 1 col3=4 blocks row1: scan column 1. Row1 col1 empty, sees 4 (row1 col3), row3 col1=4 blocks it. Row2 col1 empty, but row2 has 3 (col2),5 (col4).

First placement: Row1 col1 = 5. Why? Column 1 has 4 (row3). Row1 has 4 (col3). Block1 (rows1-2 cols1-3) has only spots left excluding 4; scanning shows 5 fits uniquely after eliminating 3 (row2 col2).

Step 2: Fill Top-Left Block and Chain Reactions

With row1 col1=5, block1 now has 5,4 (row1 col3),3 (row2 col2).

• Row2 col1: Block1 needs 1,2,6. Column1 now has 5 (row1),4 (row3)—eliminates those. Row2 has 3,5. So row2 col1=1.
• Row1 col2: Now block1 has 5,1 (row2 col1),4,3. Needs 2,6. Row1 col2 possibilities: column2 has 3 (row2), row1 has 5,4. So 2 or 6—fits.

Next: Row1 col2=2. Elimination in block1 leaves only 2 for it (6 forced elsewhere later).

Update grid:

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

Step 3: Tackle Middle Blocks with Process of Elimination

Look at column 4: clues 5 (row2),4 (row5). Block2 (rows1-2 cols4-6) empty except row2 col4=5? Wait, row2 col4 empty initially—clue is row2 col4? No, initial row2 col4 empty.

Focus column 5: 3 (row3),5 (row4),4 (row5). So possibles narrow.

• Row1 col5: Sees row3 col5=3, row4 col5 empty but 5 nearby. Block2 row1 col5: eliminate 4 (row1 col3 nearby block),5 (row2 col4? Scanning: column5 empty except those. Naked single: 6.

Row1 col5=6, row1 col6=1. Block1 complete forces row1 col6=1 (only left).

Step 4: Complete Row 1 and Propagate Down

Row1 now: 5,2,4,3,6,1. Row1 col4=3 (only left after eliminations).

Column 4 now has 3 (row1),5 (row2 col4? Row2 col4 empty—clue row2 col4 empty, but now eliminate.

• Row2 col3: Block1 row2 col3 empty. Now with row1 full, column3 has 4 (row1). Row2 has 1,3,5. Block1 full? Block1 rows1-2 cols1-3: row1:5,2,4; row2:1,3,empty col3. Needs 6. So row2 col3=6.
• Row2 col6=2. Only left for row2 (has 1,3,6,5,? empty col6; elim col6 has1 row1).

Grid update:

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

Step 5: Solve Bottom Blocks Using Scanning and Pairs

Row5 col2=1 clue. Column2 now has 2 (row1),3 (row2),1 (row5).

• Row3 col2: Block2 rows3-4? No block2 rows1-2 done. Block3 rows3-4 cols1-3: 4 (row3 col1),2 (row4 col1). Row3 col2 empty, column2 possibles exclude 1,2,3. Sees 1 row5 col2.
• Row3 col2=5. Naked single after elim: row3 has4,3; block has4,2.

Continue: Row4 col2=6 (column2 left 6; block3 needs it).

Step 6: Fill Remaining with Cross-Hatching and Box Completion

Row6 col3=2 clue. Column3 now filling.

• Row5 col1 empty: Block4 rows5-6 cols1-3 has1 (row5 col2),2 (row6 col3). Column1 has5,1,4,2. So row5 col1=6? Wait, row4 col1=2, row3=4,row1=5,row2=1. Column1 full? No row5 col1, row6 col1 empty. Possibles narrow to 3,6—but row5 has1,4.
• Row5 col1=6, row3 col3=1. Chain: block3 row3 col3 only 1 left (has4,5,2,3? Updates).

As blocks fill, use cross-hatching: For 4 in column4—trace rows. Forces row3 col4=2? Actually, row4 col4=1 (elim).

Key later fills:

• Row3 col4=2 (column4 sees5 row2,3 row1,4 row5; row3 sees4,5,1,3).
• Row4 col3=3, row4 col4=1 (box logic).
• Row3 col6=6 (only left).
• Bottom row: row6 col1=3, col2=4, col5=1? Propagate.
• Row5 col3=5? No: row5 col3=5? Updates lead to row5 col6=3, etc.
• Final chains: Row6 col5=1, col6=5; row5 col6=3; row6 col4=6.

Mastering LinkedIn Mini Sudoku Gemstone #173

By prioritizing naked singles, eliminating in rows/columns/boxes, and chaining placements, the grid fills logically. Practice scanning constrained areas for faster solves. Tackle daily LinkedIn 6x6 Sudoku #173 Gemstone like a pro—logic over guessing!

Check your work against the puzzle and share your solve time in comments. More LinkedIn Mini Sudoku solutions coming daily.