LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #201 (Odd Even) Solution

Crack today's LinkedIn Mini 6x6 Sudoku #201 themed Odd Even. This puzzle uses 2x3 boxes where rows, columns, and boxes contain 1-6 exactly once. Here's the starting grid with clues:

We'll solve step-by-step using logical deductions: naked singles, hidden singles, and eliminations across rows, columns, and 2x3 boxes. Focus on one cell at a time, checking constraints.

Step 1: Row 1, Column 1 (Top-Left Cell)

Row 1 has 1 in column 3. Box 1 (rows 1-2, cols 1-3) also has 3 below. Possible: 2,4,5,6 (eliminates 1,3). Column 1 has 1 in row 3 and 2 in row 6—eliminate those. Only 5 and 6 left, but row 6 col 1 is 2. Check box: no conflicts. Column 1 missing 5,6; row 1 needs them. Later steps confirm: place 5 here.

Step 2: Row 1, Column 2

With row 1 col 1 as 5, row 1 now: 5, ?, 1, ?, ?, ?. Missing 2,3,4,6 but 3 in row 2 col 2 eliminates 3 here. Box 1: 5,3,1 present—missing 2,4,6. Column 2 has 4 in row 5. So 6 fits perfectly.

Step 3: Row 1, Remaining Cells

Row 1: 5,6,1,?, ?, ?. Missing 2,3,4. Column 4 has 5 row 2—check box 2 (rows 1-2, cols 4-6): 5 there. Place 4 in row 1 col 4 (fits column 4 missing, box 2). Then row 1 col 5: 2 (only left after eliminations). Row 1 col 6: 3.

Step 4: Column 6 Insights

Row 1 col 6 is 3. Row 2 col 6 empty. Box 2 row 2: 5 col 4, now row 1 has 4,2,3. Column 6 missing 1-6 except clues. Row 3 col 5 is 3—eliminates. Place 1 row 2 col 6 (fits row 2: 3,5 present).

Step 5: Row 2 Completion

Row 2: ?,3,?,5,?,1. Missing 2,4,6. Column 1 row 2: box 1 has 5,6,1,3—only 4 and 2 possible, but column 1 has 5 (r1),1(r3),2(r6)—so 4? Wait, refine: actually 4 row 2 col 1? No—column 1 row 5 has 4. Logical path: row 2 col 3 checks box 1 missing 2,4. Place 2 row 2 col 3. Then row 2 col 5: 6, row 2 col 1: 4.

Step 6: Row 3 Advances

Row 3:1,?,?,?,3,?. Box 2 row 3: now has more from above. Column 2: emerging patterns. Place 5 row 3 col 2 (column 2 missing after 6 r1,3 r2,4 r5). Continue: row 3 col 3 4, col 4 6, col 6 2.

Step 7: Row 4 and Box 3

Row 4: ?,?,6,?,?,?. Box 3 (rows 3-4, cols 1-3) has row 3:1,5,4 and 6 row 4 col 3. Missing 2,3. Column 1 row 4: 3 fits. Row 4 col 2: 2. Box 4 (rows 3-4, cols 4-6): place 1 row 4 col 4, 5 col 5, 4 col 6.

Step 8: Row 5 and Final Row

Row 5: ?,4,?,2,?,?. Column 1 row 5 empty but row 5 col 2=4. Box 3 row 5? Rows 5-6 box 3. Patterns clear: 6 row 5 col 1, 3 col 3, 1 col 5, 5 col 6.

Step 9: Row 6 Completion

Row 6:2,?,?,?,4,?. Last missing: col 2 1, col 3 5, col 4 3, col 6 6. All constraints satisfied across columns and boxes.

Verify: every row, column, and 2x3 box has unique 1-6. The odd-even theme likely highlights alternating patterns in solution, but logic alone solves it. Practice these singles and eliminations for faster solves!