I solve LinkedIn Patches #101 patch by patch on a 8×8 grid. 6 clues to satisfy, 6 with numbered areas. My tiling order: clue 1 (2×8) → clue 2 (2×3) → clue 3 (2×1) → clue 4 (3×4) → clue 5 (3×4) → clue 6 (4×4). I draw the tightest rectangles first and check that the remaining space can still partition cleanly before committing each shape.
Before the first drag I scan for the largest area clues and strict shape icons — on this board that means One or more clues demand large rectangles — lock those anchors first because they consume the most territory and constrain where every smaller patch can fit.
General Patches strategy on 8×8: rectangles cannot overlap, every cell must belong to exactly one patch, and each patch must contain precisely one clue at its anchor cell. When a clue shows area 12 and a tall icon, only a few height×width pairs are legal — list them before drawing. After each placement, mentally partition the leftover white space: if any region cannot host its remaining clues, back up and try the next candidate.
I draw patch 1 next — 2×8 at Row 1, column 1. The clue shows area 16, so this patch must cover exactly 16 cells (2×8 = 16). After placing this 16-cell rectangle, 48 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 2 next — 2×3 at Row 3, column 6. The clue shows area 6, so this patch must cover exactly 6 cells (2×3 = 6). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 42 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 3 next — 2×1 at Row 4, column 5. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 40 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 4 next — 3×4 at Row 5, column 4. The clue shows area 12, so this patch must cover exactly 12 cells (3×4 = 12). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 12-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 5 next — 3×4 at Row 6, column 3. The clue shows area 12, so this patch must cover exactly 12 cells (3×4 = 12). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 12-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 6 next — 4×4 at Row 8, column 8. The clue shows area 16, so this patch must cover exactly 16 cells (4×4 = 16). This 16-cell patch completes the grid — all 64 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Done — every cell colored, no overlaps, all clues satisfied. One or more clues demand large rectangles — lock those anchors first because they consume the most territory and constrain where every smaller patch can fit.