I solve LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #326 on a 6×6 board starting from 8 clues. 6 irregular regions overlap rows and columns — not classic 3×3 boxes. My hint-driven path uses 15× Naked single, 12× Hidden single (row), 1× Hidden single (column) across 28 placements.
First pass: scan givens and mark blockers. Digits keep appearing as the only option left in a row, column, or region — follow those hidden singles in sequence.
Next 4 fills: R1C1=3, R2C4=1, R4C6=2, R5C3=1. I used Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row). The hidden single (row) at R1C1 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R4C1=1, R3C6=1, R5C5=2, R5C4=3. I used Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row). The hidden single (row) at R4C1 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R3C5=3, R4C2=3, R6C1=2, R2C3=2. I used Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row). The hidden single (row) at R3C5 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R2C2=5, R2C5=6, R1C5=5, R1C6=4. I used Hidden single (column), Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The hidden single (column) at R2C2 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R1C3=6, R2C1=4, R3C1=6, R3C4=5. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R1C3 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R3C3=4, R4C3=5, R4C4=6, R5C6=6. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R3C3 opened the chain.
Next 4 fills: R5C2=4, R6C2=6, R6C4=4, R6C6=5. I used Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. The naked single at R5C2 opened the chain.
Mid-solve checkpoint: 14 cells remain after the first half of the chain. Hidden-single chain 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: R1C1=3, R2C4=1, R4C6=2, R5C3=1, R4C1=1, R3C6=1, R5C5=2, R5C4=3, R3C5=3, R4C2=3, R6C1=2, R2C3=2, R2C2=5, R2C5=6, R1C5=5, R1C6=4, R1C3=6, R2C1=4, R3C1=6, R3C4=5, R3C3=4, R4C3=5, R4C4=6, R5C6=6, R5C2=4, R6C2=6, R6C4=4, R6C6=5.
Board done — every unit checks out. Digits keep appearing as the only option left in a row, column, or region — follow those hidden singles in sequence. Replay without hints using the same scan order.