Patches Today Answer

Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer

Final board and checked analysis for today's Patches puzzle, July 17, 2026.

July 17, 2026

Start with the original Patches grid and hints. Reveal the final board only when you are ready to compare your solve.

Today's Patches answer is LinkedIn Patches #122 for July 17, 2026. The board is 7×7, with 12 clues, 12 solved regions, and 49/49 cells covered. Use this Patches answer today as a check after you try the starting grid.

Board size is 7×7.
12 clue cells shape the starting grid.
12 solved regions cover the final board.
49/49 cells are covered in the saved answer.

Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer Today Clues

Today's Patches puzzle starts with the original grid. The final board stays hidden until you click the reveal button.

Start Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer Today Start Grid

Hidden Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer Today Final Board

Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer Today Spoiler-Safe Hints

Start with the 6-cell marker. Bigger regions usually have fewer safe placements, so they are easier to test early.
Do not merge nearby fixed cells just because they sit close together. Each solved region must keep its own marker.
Use square and rectangle clues to confirm borders before filling the small leftover areas.

Patches 122 LinkedIn Answer Today Summary

Board size: 7×7
Total regions: 12
Fixed cells: 12
Main anchor: r1 c3, 4-cell square marker (top edge, left side)
Largest region: Region 1, 6-cell vertical strip
Key trap: Do not treat the 5-cell clue at r2 c2 as spare filler after the larger clue is placed.

Region Reference

Role	Anchor	Plain location	Region	Solved shape	Cells
Main anchor	r1 c3 4-cell square marker	top edge, left side	Region 3	2×2 square block	r1 c3 to r2 c4
Shape check	r7 c5 3-cell horizontal rectangle marker	bottom edge, right side	Region 12	3-cell horizontal strip	r7 c3 to r7 c5
Early trap	r2 c2 5-cell marker	upper half, left side	Region 2	5-cell vertical strip	r1 c2 to r5 c2
Largest area	r3 c1 6-cell marker	upper half, left edge	Region 1	6-cell vertical strip	r1 c1 to r6 c1
Extra check	r1 c7 2-cell marker	top edge, right edge	Region 6	2-cell vertical strip	r1 c7 to r2 c7

Patches #122 Full Analysis

First read: Patches #122 starts with 12 clue cells on a 7×7 board. Begin with the fixed clues at r1 c3, r1 c7, r2 c2 instead of guessing color groups from empty space. Those clue cells are the safest anchors because every solved region must keep exactly one clue area and still cover the whole board.

Main anchor: The best anchor is the 4-cell square clue at r1 c3, not a random corner. This clue is useful because a strict shape has less room to wiggle than an open patch. After reveal, check it against Region 3, which should form the 2×2 square block from r1 c3 to r2 c4.