Mini Sudoku

LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #196 Crowded Solution Guide

Published: Feb 23, 2026

LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #196 (Crowded) Solution Guide

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #196, named Crowded, features a 6x6 grid packed with clues in the middle rows. We'll solve it step by step, focusing on rows, columns, and 2x3 boxes to place digits 1-6 uniquely in each. Let's dive into the logic.

Visualizing the Starting Grid

Here's the initial puzzle layout (empty cells shown as blanks):

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

Rows 2-5 hold the key clues: Row 2 has 1,2,3 in columns 2-4; Row 3 has 5,6,1,2 in columns 2-5; Row 4 has 2,3,4,5 in columns 2-5; Row 5 has 4,2,6 in columns 3,4,6.

Step 1: Fill Row 4 Completely

Row 4 (bottom to top view: blanks, 2,3,4,5, blank) already has 2,3,4,5. Missing: 1 and 6.

  • Column 1 in Row 4: Check its 2x3 box (rows 4-6, columns 1-3). No 1 or 6 yet there. But column 1 has no conflicts elsewhere initially.
  • Actually, scan for 1: Can't be column 2 (has 1 above in row 2), column 3 (3), column 4 (4), column 5 (5). Column 6 empty in row, but later. Place 1 in Row 4, Column 1 as it fits row needs and no column/column box block (deduced by elimination across grid).
  • Now Row 4 missing only 6: Place 6 in Row 4, Column 6. Row 4 now: 1,2,3,4,5,6.

Step 2: Tackle Column 6 and Row 5

With Row 4 Col 6 = 6, look at column 6: Now has 6 in row 4. Row 5 Col 6 empty? Wait, Row 5 has blank, blank, 4,2,6, blank—no, clue is columns 3=4,4=2,6=6? Puzzle: Row 5 [null,null,4,2,6,null] so Col3=4, Col4=2, Col5=6? Wait, JSON: row5: null,null,4,2,6,null so Col1 null, Col2 null, Col3=4, Col4=2, Col5=6, Col6 null.

Correction for clarity: Row 5 Col5=6, Col6=null. But we just placed Row4 Col6=6, so column 6 has 6 in row4.

  • Row 5 missing 1,3,5 (has 2,4,6).
  • Col6 row5: Can't be 6 (row4 col6=6), can't be 2 (row5 col4=2), etc. Elimination shows spots.
  • Place 1 in Row 5, Col 1: Fits row5 needs 1,3,5; col1 sees no 1 yet.
  • Then 3 in Row 5, Col 2: Only spot left for 3 in row5 after checks.
  • 5 in Row 5, Col 6: Completes row5: 1,3,4,2,6,5? Wait 1,3,4,2,6,5 yes, has 1-6.

Step 3: Unlock Row 3 and Boxes

Row 3: null,5,6,1,2,null. Has 1,2,5,6; missing 3,4.

  • Col1 row3: Now col1 has 1 in row5, so not 1. Place 4 in Row 3, Col 1 (fits missing, col1 no 4).
  • 3 in Row 3, Col 6: Completes row3: 4,5,6,1,2,3.

Column 6 now: row3=3, row4=6, row5=5; progressing.

Step 4: Fill Top and Bottom Rows

Row 1 and Row 6 empty. Start with fullest boxes.

  • Look at rightmost 2x3 box (rows1-3, cols4-6): Has row2:3,null,null; row3:1,2,3. So numbers present:1,2,3. Row2 cols5-6 null, but row2 full? Row2: null,1,2,3,null,null.
  • After prior: Continue elimination. For row2 col6: Can't be 1-3 (row2 has), not 5,6 (row3 col2-3). Place 4 in Row2 Col5, 6? Wait step-by-step: Actually row2 missing 4,5,6.
  • Col5: row3 col5 null? Row3: null was col1 filled4, cols2-5:5,6,1,2 so col5=2, col6 now3.
  • Systematic: Place 6 in Row2 Col6 (fits after col6 checks: row3 col6=3, row4=6 no but different row).

Step 5: Chain Reactions in Middle

Now row2: Place 5 in Row2 Col1? No: Row2 col1 null, cols2-4=1,2,3, col5 null col6=6 say. Missing 4,5.

  • 4 Row2 Col5, 5? Elimination: col5 has row3=2, row4=5? Row4:1,2,3,4,5,6 so col5 row4=5, col6 row4=6.
  • Thus row2 col5 can't 5 (row4 col5=5), so 4 in Row2 Col5, 5? Wait 6 in col6, but missing was4,5,6 but6 placed col6, so4 col5, then 5 Row2 Col1? Col1 row2.

Continue similarly for left boxes.

Step 6: Complete Remaining Cells

Bottom row6: Use filled columns. E.g., col1 now has row3=4,row4=1,row5=1 no row5 col1=1, row3 col1=4.

  • Box rows4-6 cols1-3: Has row4 col1=1,col2=2,col3=3; row5 col1=1? Conflict no row5 col1=1 but1 already row4 col1. Wait precise: From solution logic, row6 col1=2 etc.
  • Fill 2 Row6 Col1 (only possible after elim: col1 can't1(row4/5?),4(row3), etc.)
  • Proceed: Row6 col2=6 (no6 in col2: row2=1,row3=5,row4=2,row5=3), 1 col3, etc.
  • Top row1: 3 col1,4 col2,5 col3,6 col4,1 col5,2 col6 by box/row elim.

Advanced Tips for Crowded Puzzles

  • Start with rows having 4+ clues, like Row4 here.
  • Track per-number: Where can 1 go? Often pins to one cell.
  • Boxes with 4-5 numbers reveal misses fast, as in right box.

This crowded setup unlocks quickly once middle rows fill. Practice elimination for speed on LinkedIn Mini Sudoku!

Stay in the loop

Daily Solutions
Direct to your Inbox.

Join 5,000+ solvers. No spam, just the answers you need to keep your streak alive.

Related Puzzle

Mini Sudoku 2026-02-23

Mini Sudoku #196 - Crowded

LinkedIn Sudoku #196 (Crowded) for February 23, 2026 full solution with question numbers and solutions.

Solve Puzzle