I solve LinkedIn Patches #131 patch by patch on a 8×8 grid. 16 clues to satisfy, 14 with numbered areas. My tiling order: clue 1 (1×4) → clue 2 (2×2) → clue 3 (2×1) → clue 4 (2×2) → clue 5 (3×2) → clue 6 (1×2) → clue 7 (6×1) → clue 8 (1×2) → clue 9 (2×1) → clue 10 (3×2) → clue 11 (6×1) → clue 12 (2×3) → clue 13 (2×1) → clue 14 (2×2) → clue 15 (2×2) → clue 16 (2×2). 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 Many clues show a numbered area — when area and shape combine, the rectangle size is often mathematically fixed before placement.
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 — 1×4 at Row 1, column 5. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (1×4 = 4). After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 60 cells remain for 15 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 2 next — 2×2 at Row 1, column 7. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 56 cells remain for 14 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 3 next — 2×1 at Row 2, column 1. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 54 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 4 next — 2×2 at Row 2, column 3. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 50 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 5 next — 3×2 at Row 3, column 5. The clue shows area 6, so this patch must cover exactly 6 cells (3×2 = 6). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 44 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 6 next — 1×2 at Row 3, column 7. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 42 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 7 next — 6×1 at Row 4, column 1. The clue shows area 6, so this patch must cover exactly 6 cells (6×1 = 6). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 36 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 8 next — 1×2 at Row 4, column 3. This patch covers 2 cells (1×2). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 9 next — 2×1 at Row 5, column 6. This patch covers 2 cells (2×1). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 10 next — 3×2 at Row 5, column 8. The clue shows area 6, so this patch must cover exactly 6 cells (3×2 = 6). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 26 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 11 next — 6×1 at Row 6, column 2. The clue shows area 6, so this patch must cover exactly 6 cells (6×1 = 6). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 20 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 12 next — 2×3 at Row 6, column 4. 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, 14 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 13 next — 2×1 at Row 7, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 14 next — 2×2 at Row 7, column 8. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 8 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 15 next — 2×2 at Row 8, column 2. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 16 next — 2×2 at Row 8, column 4. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). This 4-cell patch completes the grid — all 64 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Done — every cell colored, no overlaps, all clues satisfied. Many clues show a numbered area — when area and shape combine, the rectangle size is often mathematically fixed before placement.