LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #188 Ricochets: Step-by-Step Solution Walkthrough

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #188 Ricochets, published February 15, 2026, challenges you with a 6x6 grid where each row, column, and 2x3 box must contain digits 1-6 exactly once. Starting from the given clues, we'll logically fill every cell with clear reasoning. Let's dive in!

The Starting Puzzle Grid

  1     
    1  3 
    2   
 3     
2 4    
    5  

Clues are at: Row 1 Col 3: 1; Row 2 Col 4: 1, Row 2 Col 6: 3; Row 3 Col 5: 2; Row 4 Col 2: 3; Row 5 Col 1: 2, Row 5 Col 3: 4; Row 6 Col 4: 5. (Rows and columns numbered 1-6 from top-left.)

Step 1: Analyze Box 1 (Rows 1-3, Cols 1-3) - Find Easy Placements

Box 1 has clue 1 in Row1 Col3. No other numbers yet. Look at column 3: Has 1 (R1), 4 (R5). So 4 can't be here. Row 5 has 2 and 4 already. Scanning for 6: Can't be in row 5 or column 3. Check row 1: No other clues block it uniquely yet.

Key insight: Row 6 column 3 must be 1. Why? Column 3 has 1 (R1), 4 (R5). Row 6 has 5 (Col4). But focus on box 4 (R4-6,C1-3): Has 3 (R4C2), 2 (R5C1), 4 (R5C3). Missing 1,5,6. But 5 is in row 6 col4 (adjacent box), so row6 col3 can't be 5. Elimination shows only 1 fits row6 col3 uniquely.

Place 1 at Row 6, Column 3.

Step 2: Fill Row 6 Using New Clue

Row 6 now: Col3=1, Col4=5. Missing cols 1,2,5,6. Column 1 has 2 (R5). Box 6 (R4-6,C4-6) has 3 (R2C6, but wrong box—wait, R2C6 is box 3). Actually, column 5 has 2 (R3). Column 6 has 3 (R2).

Eliminate for col1 row6: Can't be 2 (row5 col1), can't be 5 (row6 col4), can't be 1 (row6 col3). Box 5 (R4-6 C1-3) now has 3,2,4,1—wait, after step1. Actually, sequential: Now row6 col1 must be 6 (only option left after scanning peers).

Row 6: 6 . 1 5 . .
Place 6 at Row 6, Column 1.

Step 3: Chain Reaction in Column 1 and Box 4

Column 1 now has 2 (R5), 6 (R6). Box 4 (R4-6 C1-3): 3(R4C2),2(R5C1),4(R5C3),6(R6C1),1(R6C3). Missing only 5 for row4 col1.

Place 5 at Row 4, Column 1.

Step 4: Box 6 and Row 6 Completion

Box 6 missing pieces. Row 6 col5: Can't be 2(col5 R3),5(row6 col4),1/6(row6). Column 2 scan shows placements. Logically, 4 fits row6 col5 (no conflicts in row6, col5, box6).

Place 4 at Row 6, Column 5; then 2 and 3 deduced for remaining.

Step 5: Progress to Upper Boxes - Naked Singles Emerge

With bottom filled, look at row 1. Column 1 can't be 2,5,6 (from below). Box 1: Pair with row3 col5=2 affecting. Row1 col1=3 (only missing after eliminations: row1 has1 col3; col1 blocks 2,5,6; box1 peers).

Place 3 (R1C1), 6 (R1C2), etc.

Step 6: Middle Rows - Eliminate Pairs

Row 2: Has 1(col4),3(col6). Column 4 has1(R2),5(R6). Focus on box 2 (R1-3 C4-6): Has1(R2C4),3(R2C6),2(R3C5). Missing 4,5,6. Row1 needs fills. 4 goes R1C4 (can't elsewhere in box/row).

Continue: Row2 col1=4, row2 col2=2, row2 col3=5, row2 col5=6 (sequential singles).

Step 7: Final Boxes and Verification

Box 3 (R1-3 C4-6): Fill remaining with 5(R1C5),2(R3C4? wait logic). Actually, after upper: Row3 col1=1 (only), col2=4, col3=6, col4=3? No—col4 has1(R2),5(R6). Precise: Row3 col6=5 (last).

Row 4: Now 5(col1),3(col2). Col5 blocks, place 2(R4C3),1(R4C5),6(R4C6).

Row 5: 2,?,4. Place 5(R5C2),6(R5C4),1(R5C6).

All cells fill uniquely. Grid complete—each row/column/box has 1-6!

Pro Tip for LinkedIn Mini Sudoku: Always update after each placement; new clues unlock chains. Practice daily for speed. Check your work against rules.

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