Patches Archive Answer

Patches 173 LinkedIn Answer

Hints, final board, and solving notes for Patches #173 on September 6, 2026.

September 6, 2026

This archived answer keeps Patches #173 separate from the current puzzle. Use the hints first, then reveal the saved final board when you are ready.

LinkedIn Patches #173 for September 6, 2026 has board size 8×8, 10 clues, and 10 solved regions. The saved final board covers 64/64 cells, and the answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.

Board size is 8×8.
10 clue cells shape the starting grid.
10 solved regions cover the final board.
64/64 cells are covered in the saved answer.

Patches 173 LinkedIn Answer Today Clues

Patches #173 starts with the original grid. The completed final board stays hidden until you click the reveal button.

Start Patches 173 LinkedIn Answer Today Start Grid

Hidden Patches 173 LinkedIn Answer Today Final Board

Patches 173 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 173 LinkedIn Answer Today Summary

Board size: 8×8
Total regions: 10
Fixed cells: 10
Main anchor: r4 c8, square marker (upper half, right edge)
Largest region: Region 4, 3×4 rectangle
Key trap: Do not treat the 6-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	r4 c8 square marker	upper half, right edge	Region 5	2×2 square block	r4 c7 to r5 c8
Shape check	r1 c5 6-cell horizontal rectangle marker	top edge, right side	Region 1	6-cell horizontal strip	r1 c1 to r1 c6
Early trap	r2 c2 6-cell vertical rectangle marker	upper half, left side	Region 3	3×2 rectangle	r2 c1 to r4 c2
Largest area	r3 c4 horizontal rectangle marker	upper half, left side	Region 4	3×4 rectangle	r2 c3 to r4 c6
Extra check	r2 c7 6-cell vertical rectangle marker	upper half, right side	Region 2	3×2 rectangle	r1 c7 to r3 c8

Patches #173 Solving Notes

First read: Patches #173 starts with 10 clue cells on an 8×8 board. Begin with the fixed clues at r1 c5, r2 c2, r2 c7 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 square clue at r4 c8, 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 5, which should form the 2×2 square block from r4 c7 to r5 c8.