2026-01-03
Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Strategy coach format — cell deductions, sign analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
Tango Level 3 is part of our exclusive Tango level track. Tango is LinkedIn's balance puzzle: fill a 6×6 grid so every row and column has 3 suns and 3 moons, never three identical symbols in a line, and all = and × signs between neighbors are satisfied. This page includes the live board, a solved-board view, and a step-by-step Solution walkthrough. Difficulty: Easy. Estimated solve time: 3–5 min.
Answer
18 suns and 18 moons across the 6×6 grid.
This 6×6 board has 13 starting clues and 4 adjacency signs (0 equal, 4 opposite).
Analysis
Teaching board Tango Level 3: 6×6 cells, 3-and-3 balance per line, no triple runs. Students should read 13 locked clues and 4 signs before filling anything — lesson one is never guess when a line is one symbol short of balance.
Coach note: teach the three global rules together — balance, no-three, and signs. × pairs dominate this board — opposite signs force alternating symbols and quickly eliminate one option per linked cell. On this board, opposite-pair propagation means students should prioritize opposite pairs early.
Phase 1 for students: place R2C3 → Sun (only one symbol still valid); R2C5 → Sun (column balance closes the line); R2C1 → Moon (row balance forces the last symbol). Phase 2: verify row and column counts after each placement — ask "does any line now have two suns (or moons) in a row?" Phase 3: finish with R6C5 → Sun and R6C6 → Moon; if a student is guessing here, they skipped a balance check.
Line balance check: Every row and column holds exactly 3 suns and 3 moons (row 1: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 2: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 3: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 4: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 5: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 6: 3 suns, 3 moons). That 3-and-3 split is the backstop when signs alone do not decide a cell.
Constraint verification: 0 equal signs require matching neighbors; 4 opposite signs require different symbols. A single broken edge means the grid fails even if row balance looks correct.
No-three rule pass: scan every row and column for three consecutive suns or moons — none appear in the completed grid. Sandwich cases (sun-moon-sun patterns around a filled pair) often force the middle cell and show up as two matching symbols sandwich this cell deductions on boards like this.
Recap for students: 13 givens + 23 deductions = full 6×6 board. Replay focusing on opposite-pair propagation reads before using hints.
Cells
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon.
Solving note
Opening read: Sun at R2C3 because only one symbol still valid. Start from givens and adjacent signs.
Reasoning
Column 5 still needs 2 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Sign scan: Sun at R2C5 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 2 still needs 3 more moons to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Row check: Moon at R2C1 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 2 still needs 2 more moons to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Column check: Moon at R2C2 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. Row 2 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Chain link: Moon at R2C4 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
The × sign between this cell and Row 3, column 3 means they must differ — Row 3, column 3 is Moon, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Balance pin: Sun at R3C2 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule.
Solving note
Trap avoid: Sun at R5C6 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
The × sign between this cell and Row 6, column 1 means they must differ — Row 6, column 1 is Moon, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Mid-board: Sun at R6C2 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. The × sign between this cell and Row 6, column 4 means they must differ — Row 6, column 4 is Sun, so this cell is Moon.
Solving note
Line close: Moon at R6C3 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 3 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Pair test: Sun at R1C3 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
The × sign between this cell and Row 1, column 3 means they must differ — Row 1, column 3 is Sun, so this cell is Moon.
Solving note
Count verify: Moon at R1C4 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule.
Solving note
Propagation: Sun at R1C6 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Column 4 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Elimination: Sun at R3C4 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 3 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Forced cell: Moon at R3C1 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Column 1 still needs 3 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Second pass: Sun at R1C1 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. Row 1 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Late balance: Moon at R1C2 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Column 1 still needs 2 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Sign echo: Sun at R4C1 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 6 still needs 2 more moons for balance.
Solving note
Triple guard: Moon at R4C6 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 4 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns.
Solving note
Row finish: Sun at R4C2 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 1 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Column finish: Sun at R5C1 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit above — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. Row 5 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Column 2 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Corner cell: Moon at R5C2 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Column 5 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Edge cell: Sun at R6C5 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the left — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Row 6 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Column 6 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Interior pin: Moon at R6C6 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Final open cell — grid complete after this.
Verification
Teach verification in three passes: (1) count suns and moons per row and column — every row and column holds exactly 3 suns and 3 moons (row 1: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 2: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 3: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 4: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 5: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 6: 3 suns, 3 moons). (2) walk every sign edge; (3) scan for triple runs. This opposite-pair propagation board rewards that checklist.
Solve path
Phase 1: 6×6 Tango board with 13 locked clues and 4 adjacency signs — each row and column needs 3 suns and 3 moons with no three identical symbols in a line. Step 1: R2C3 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Step 2: R2C5 → Sun (column balance). Column 5 still needs 2 more suns for balance. Step 3: R2C1 → Moon (row balance). Row 2 still needs 3 more moons to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Step 4: R2C2 → Moon (row balance). Row 2 still needs 2 more moons to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Step 5: R2C4 → Moon (sandwich rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Step 6: R3C2 → Sun (opposite sign). The × sign between this cell and Row 3, column 3 means they must differ — Row 3, column 3 is Moon, so this cell is Sun. Step 7: R5C6 → Sun (no-three rule). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 8: R6C2 → Sun (opposite sign). The × sign between this cell and Row 6, column 1 means they must differ — Row 6, column 1 is Moon, so this cell is Sun. Step 9: R6C3 → Moon (opposite sign). Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. Step 10: R1C3 → Sun (column balance). Column 3 still needs 1 more sun for balance. Step 11: R1C4 → Moon (opposite sign). The × sign between this cell and Row 1, column 3 means they must differ — Row 1, column 3 is Sun, so this cell is Moon. Step 12: R1C6 → Sun (no-three rule). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 13: R3C4 → Sun (no-three rule). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 14: R3C1 → Moon (row balance). Row 3 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Step 15: R1C1 → Sun (column balance). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Step 16: R1C2 → Moon (sandwich rule). Two suns sandwich this cell — it must be Moon to avoid three suns in a row. Step 17: R4C1 → Sun (no-three rule). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 18: R4C6 → Moon (column balance). Column 6 still needs 2 more moons for balance. Step 19: R4C2 → Sun (row balance). Row 4 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns. Step 20: R5C1 → Sun (column balance). Column 1 still needs 1 more sun for balance. Step 21: R5C2 → Moon (sandwich rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit above — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 22: R6C5 → Sun (no-three rule). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit above — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 23: R6C6 → Moon (no-three rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the left — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Complete: 18 suns and 18 moons across the 6×6 grid. All = and × constraints satisfied — no row or column violates balance or the no-three rule.
Pattern
× pairs dominate this board — opposite signs force alternating symbols and quickly eliminate one option per linked cell.
Every row and column holds exactly 3 suns and 3 moons (row 1: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 2: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 3: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 4: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 5: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 6: 3 suns, 3 moons).
Learn more in Tango Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
3 suns + 3 moons per line, no triples, respect signs — all three interact on every cell.
After each placement, update row and column tallies. On this board, the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat (6); column balance closes the line (5); row balance forces the last symbol (4); a × sign demands opposites (4); two matching symbols sandwich this cell (3); only one symbol still valid (1).
Every row and column holds exactly 3 suns and 3 moons (row 1: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 2: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 3: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 4: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 5: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 6: 3 suns, 3 moons). Walk every sign edge one more time before celebrating.
Solution
This 6×6 grid has 13 locked clues and 4 adjacency signs (0 equal, 4 opposite). 18 suns and 18 moons across the 6×6 grid. Every row and column holds exactly 3 suns and 3 moons (row 1: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 2: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 3: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 4: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 5: 3 suns, 3 moons; row 6: 3 suns, 3 moons). × pairs dominate this board — opposite signs force alternating symbols and quickly eliminate one option per linked cell. Use the Solution tab for a cell-by-cell reveal with live board updates and constraint reasoning, or the Solved board tab for the complete grid.