Patches Archive Answer

Patches 164 LinkedIn Answer

Hints, final board, and solving notes for Patches #164 on August 28, 2026.

August 28, 2026

This archived answer keeps Patches #164 separate from the current puzzle. Use the hints first, then reveal the saved final board when you are ready.

LinkedIn Patches #164 for August 28, 2026 has board size 7×7, 12 clues, and 12 solved regions. The saved final board covers 49/49 cells, and the answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.

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 164 LinkedIn Answer Today Clues

Patches #164 starts with the original grid. The completed final board stays hidden until you click the reveal button.

Start Patches 164 LinkedIn Answer Today Start Grid

Hidden Patches 164 LinkedIn Answer Today Final Board

Patches 164 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 164 LinkedIn Answer Today Summary

Board size: 7×7
Total regions: 12
Fixed cells: 12
Main anchor: r5 c5, 4-cell square marker (lower half, right side)
Largest region: Region 1, 6-cell vertical strip
Key trap: Do not treat the 6-cell clue at r5 c2 as spare filler after the larger clue is placed.

Region Reference

Role	Anchor	Plain location	Region	Solved shape	Cells
Main anchor	r5 c5 4-cell square marker	lower half, right side	Region 9	2×2 square block	r4 c4 to r5 c5
Shape check	r1 c2 vertical rectangle marker	top edge, left side	Region 2	2-cell vertical strip	r1 c2 to r2 c2
Early trap	r5 c2 6-cell vertical rectangle marker	lower half, left side	Region 8	3×2 rectangle	r4 c2 to r6 c3
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 5-cell marker	top edge, right edge	Region 3	5-cell horizontal strip	r1 c3 to r1 c7

Patches #164 Solving Notes

First read: Patches #164 starts with 12 clue cells on a 7×7 board. Begin with the fixed clues at r1 c2, r1 c7, r2 c4 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 r5 c5, 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 9, which should form the 2×2 square block from r4 c4 to r5 c5.