I solve LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #321 on a 6×6 board starting from 10 clues. 6 irregular regions overlap rows and columns — not classic 3×3 boxes. My hint-driven path uses 26× Naked single across 26 placements.
First pass: scan givens and mark blockers. Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory.
Next 4 fills: R2C3=2, R2C4=6, R4C3=4, R3C3=1. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R2C3 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R1C3=5, R3C2=2, R3C5=4, R3C4=5. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R1C3 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R4C1=6, R1C1=1, R1C2=6, R4C4=3. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R4C1 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R1C4=4, R4C6=2, R1C6=3, R1C5=2. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R1C4 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R5C1=5, R5C5=3, R5C6=4, R5C2=1. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R5C1 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R6C1=2, R6C2=4, R6C3=3, R6C4=1. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R6C1 opened the chain.
Next 2 fills: R6C5=6, R6C6=5. I used Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R6C5 opened the chain.
Mid-solve checkpoint: 13 cells remain after the first half of the chain. Row-scan heavy boards often accelerate once two or three regions close — watch for hidden singles in tight blocks.
Late game: final batches collapse quickly when rows and columns near completion. Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats. Completed path: R2C3=2, R2C4=6, R4C3=4, R3C3=1, R1C3=5, R3C2=2, R3C5=4, R3C4=5, R4C1=6, R1C1=1, R1C2=6, R4C4=3, R1C4=4, R4C6=2, R1C6=3, R1C5=2, R5C1=5, R5C5=3, R5C6=4, R5C2=1, R6C1=2, R6C2=4, R6C3=3, R6C4=1, R6C5=6, R6C6=5.
Board done — every unit checks out. Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory. Replay without hints using the same scan order.