Patches Today Answer

Patches 187 LinkedIn Answer

Final board and checked analysis for today's Patches puzzle, September 20, 2026.

September 20, 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 #187 for September 20, 2026. The board is 7×7, with 14 clues, 14 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.
14 clue cells shape the starting grid.
14 solved regions cover the final board.
49/49 cells are covered in the saved answer.

Patches 187 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 187 LinkedIn Answer Today Start Grid

Hidden Patches 187 LinkedIn Answer Today Final Board

Patches 187 LinkedIn Answer Today Spoiler-Safe Hints

Start with the 3-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 187 LinkedIn Answer Today Summary

Board size: 7×7
Total regions: 14
Fixed cells: 14
Main anchor: r5 c4, square marker (lower half, left side)
Largest region: Region 12, 3×2 rectangle
Key trap: Do not treat the 3-cell clue at r1 c6 as spare filler after the larger clue is placed.

Region Reference

Role	Anchor	Plain location	Region	Solved shape	Cells
Main anchor	r5 c4 square marker	lower half, left side	Region 11	2×2 square block	r4 c4 to r5 c5
Shape check	r2 c3 3-cell horizontal rectangle marker	upper half, left side	Region 6	3-cell horizontal strip	r2 c2 to r2 c4
Early trap	r1 c6 3-cell marker	top edge, right side	Region 4	3-cell vertical strip	r1 c6 to r3 c6
Largest area	r6 c7 vertical rectangle marker	lower half, right edge	Region 12	3×2 rectangle	r4 c6 to r6 c7
Extra check	r1 c2 3-cell marker	top edge, left side	Region 2	3-cell horizontal strip	r1 c2 to r1 c4

Patches #187 Full Analysis

First read: Patches #187 starts with 14 clue cells on a 7×7 board. Begin with the fixed clues at r1 c2, r1 c6, r2 c1 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 r5 c4, 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 11, which should form the 2×2 square block from r4 c4 to r5 c5.