I tackle LinkedIn Crossclimb #776 in three passes — middles first, ordering second, combo ends last. This 4-letter board runs RACE → … → CARS with combo clue "A two-word phrase for speedy vehicles in a competition.".
Middle phase: I work clues in board order — "Business that typically has a vault" → BANK; "What the stripes on an officer's shoulder or upper sleeve identify" → RANK; "Prohibits a specific activity" → BANS; "Object on which spice jars are arranged" → RACK; "Metal containers for soup and other pantry items" → CANS.
Ordering phase: the valid middle chain is RACK → RANK → BANK → BANS → CANS. This permutation is the only valid one-letter chain for these answers.
I verify RACE to RACK — E→K at the fourth letter (RACE → RACK).
I verify RACK to RANK — C→N at the third letter (RACK → RANK).
I verify RANK to BANK — R→B at the first letter (RANK → BANK).
I verify BANK to BANS — K→S at the fourth letter (BANK → BANS).
I verify BANS to CANS — B→C at the first letter (BANS → CANS).
I verify CANS to CARS — N→R at the third letter (CANS → CARS).
Finished chain: RACE → RACK → RANK → BANK → BANS → CANS → CARS. Combo ends RACE + CARS clicked once ordering locked. Only one middle permutation forms a valid ladder from top to bottom — if ordering feels stuck, recheck a middle answer.