LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #197 Lil L Loop Solution Guide

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #197, Lil L Loop, is a tricky 6x6 grid puzzle. Fill it so each row, column, and 2x3 box contains digits 1-6 exactly once. Here's the initial grid with clues:

We'll solve it step by step, focusing on fullest rows, columns, and boxes first. Empty cells are marked for clarity.

Step 1: Analyze Column 5 (Most Filled)

Column 5 has clues: Row1=2, Row2=3, Row4=5. Missing 1,4,6.

• Row3 Col5: Can't be 2,3,5 (col), 5,6 (row3). Can't be 1 (row4 col6 blocks box). Must be 4.

Place 4 at Row3 Col5. Now column 5 missing only 1,6.

Step 2: Row 5 Insights

Row 5: 2,1,?,4,?,?. Has 1,2,4. Missing 3,5,6.

• Col5 Row5: Can't be 2,3,4,5 (col5 now). Must be 6 (only option left).

Place 6 at Row5 Col5. Column 5 now needs only 1 (Row6 Col5).

Step 3: Row 6 Column 5

Row6 Col5 must be 1 (only missing in col5). Place 1 there.

Step 4: Top-Left Box (Rows1-3, Cols1-3)

Clues: Row2 Col2=2, Row2 Col3=1, Row3 Col2=5. Missing 3,4,6.

• Row1 Col1: Scan row1 (1,2 in cols4-5), col1 (3 row4 blocks), box. Only 6 fits.
• Row1 Col2: Now row1 has 6,_,_,1,2,_. Missing 3,4,5. Col2 has 2,5. Only 4.
• Row1 Col3: Row1 now 6,4,_,1,2,_. Missing 3,5. Box needs 3,6 but 6 placed. 3.

Step 5: Row 2 Column 1

Row2: _,2,1,_,3,_. Has 1,2,3. Col1 now has 6 (row1),3 (row4). Box missing 3,4,6 but 6,3 placed. Row2 Col1: 5 only (box, row needs 4,5,6 but col blocks others).

Step 6: Column 6 Progress

Col6: Row3=6, Row4=1, Row5=? now open. Place from prior: Continue scanning.

• Row2 Col6: Row2 now 5,2,1,_,3,_. Missing 4,6. Col6 has 6,1. Box2 (rows1-3 cols4-6): 1,2 row1; 1,3 row2; 6 row3 col6,4 row3 col5. Needs careful elim.

Row2 Col6: 4 (fits row, col, box).

Step 7: Fill Row 3 Completely

Row3: _,5,_,_,4,6. Has 4,5,6. Missing 1,2,3.

• Col1 Row3: Col1 has 6,5,3. Box1 needs 1,2 now. 1 fits.
• Row3 Col3: Missing 2,3. Col3 has 1 row2,3 row1. 2.
• Row3 Col4: Last, 3.

Step 8: Row 4 Details

Row4: 3,_,_,_,5,1. Has 1,3,5. Missing 2,4,6.

• Col2 Row4: Col2=2r2,4r1,5r3. Box3 (r4-6 c1-3). 6.
• Col3 Row4: Now col3=3r1,1r2,2r3. Row needs 2,4. 4.
• Col4 Row4: Last, 2.

Step 9: Row 5 Column 6

Row5: 2,1,_,4,6,_. Has 1,2,4,6. Missing 3,5. Col6=6r3,1r4,4r2. 3 (5 blocked col5? Wait, fits 3).

Actually, 3 at Row5 Col6.

Step 10: Bottom Box and Finals

Row6: _,_,6,5,1,_. Has 1,5,6. Missing 2,3,4.

• Col1 Row6: Col1 full check: 6r1,5r2,1r3,3r4,2r5. Only 4.
• Col2 Row6: Col2:4r1,2r2,5r3,6r4,1r5. Only 3.
• Col6 Row6: Last, 2.

Grid now nearly full. Last cells like Row5 Col3: From row5 missing 5, col3 full others, 5. Row1 Col6: 5, etc. Continue eliminations fill all.

Tips for LinkedIn Mini Sudoku Lil L Loop

• Start with fullest column (here col5 with 3 clues).[1]
• Eliminate per row/col/box for singles.
• Boxes as units: Track missing numbers per 2x3.

Practice daily for speed. Check the full solution grid to verify your work!