LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #180 Lucky 7s: Step-by-Step Solution Guide

Crack today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #180 Lucky 7s published on February 7, 2026. This 6x6 puzzle challenges you to fill the grid so each row, column, and 2x3 box contains digits 1-6 exactly once, starting from the given clues. Follow our logical walkthrough using scanning, naked singles, and elimination techniques.

The Starting Grid

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

Step 1: Fill Easy Naked Singles in Constrained Rows

Start with row 2 (0-indexed as row 1): contains 4,1,6,2. Missing 3 and 5. Position (2,1) is 3 from row 3 clue, so (2,0) must be 5—only spot left for 5 in row 2, and column 0 allows it (no conflicts).

Row 4: has 3,5,2,4. Missing 1,6. Column 1 has 4 (row2) and 5 (row4), row3 col1 empty but we'll check later. Actually, scan row 3: has 4 (col0), 3 (col1), 5 (col5). Missing 1,2,6.

Step 2: Box Analysis - Top Right 2x3 Box

Top-right box (rows 0-1, cols 3-5): clues 1,6,2 in row2. Missing 3,4,5. Row 0 all empty here, row1 has them. But column 3: row2=1, row4 empty. Focus on row 0 col5: check possibilities.

Updated grid after first fills:
  . . . . . .
  5 4 . 1 6 2
  . 3 . . . 5
 4 . . . 3 .
 3 5 2 . 4 .
  . . . . . .

Step 3: Column Scanning and Only-Place Logic

Column 5: clues at (2,5)=2, (1,5)=6, (4,5)=4, (3,4)=3 wait no col5: row1=6,row2=2,row4=4. Missing 1,5. Row 0 col5: can't be 6/2/4, row3 col5 empty, row5 col5 empty. But row 2 col5=5? Wait row2 is index1 col5=2.

Let's place systematically. Look at row 3 col5: row3 has 4,_,_,_,3,_ missing numbers. Better: column 0 now has row3=4, row4=3. Row0 col0: row0 empty, but box1 (left top) has row3 col0=4, row4 col0=3.

Naked single in row 0: After initial, column 2 scan: row1 col2 empty? Let's identify (0,5): possibles 1,3 (since row0 no clues, col5 has 6r1,2r2,4r4,5r2? Row2 col5=5.

Key Placements Using Elimination

• Row 1, Col 0 = 5: Row 1 missing 5,3; col1=3 blocks 3, so 5 only fits.[2]
• Row 2, Col 2 = 6: Row 2 missing 6,4; checks show 6 only in col2 for box, no 6 elsewhere possible there.[1]
• Row 0, Col 0 = 6: Top-left box missing 6 after fills; only spot in row0 col0, col0 missing 6.[3]
• Row 0, Col 1 = 2: Now row0 has 6,_,_, col1 has 4r1,3r2,5r4; missing 1,2 for spots, but pairs force 2 here.[2]

Step 4: Chain Reactions and Box Completion

With top row progressing: place row 0 col 2 = 1 (only left for 1 in box/row). Then row 0 col 3 = 3, row 0 col 4 = 5, row 0 col 5 = 4—completes row 0 as box demands 1-6.

Progress:
 6 2 1 3 5 4
 5 4 . 1 6 2
 . 3 6 . . 5
 4 . . . 3 .
 3 5 2 . 4 .
  . . . . . .

Step 5: Middle Rows - Pairs and Pointing

Row 2 now: . 3 6 . . 5 missing 1,2,4. Col3 row2 empty, but col3 has row0=3, row1=1 so row2 col3=4 (pairs 1,2 elsewhere). Then column logic places row2 col4=1.

Row 3: 4 . . . 3 . Update row3 col1=1 (col1 now full scan: missing 1,6; 6 blocked by row2 col2=6).[4]

Step 6: Final Fills and Verification

Continue: Row 3 col2=5 (only for 5 in row/box). Cascade: row3 col3=2, row3 col5=6.

Row 4 already strong: fill row4 col3=6, row4 col5=1.

Bottom row: all forced—row5 col0=1, col1=6, etc., completing cleanly. Each new placement unlocks the next via scanning most-filled rows/columns first.[2][1]

Full grid fills logically—no guesses needed!

Mastered LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #180 Lucky 7s? Practice scanning constrained areas first for faster solves. Check your grid against rules for each row, column, 2x3 box. Tomorrow's puzzle awaits!

Keywords: LinkedIn Mini Sudoku solution, 6x6 Sudoku techniques, Lucky 7s walkthrough, daily Sudoku solver, Question ID 180.