2026-01-04
Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Pattern lab format — cell deductions, sign analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
Tango Level 4 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 3 adjacency signs (1 equal, 2 opposite).
Analysis
Pattern lab — Tango Level 4. Grid 6×6. Constraint sample: 1 = edges, 2 × edges. Classification target: three-in-a-row trap. Deduction count: 23 forced cells beyond givens.
Sample technique distribution: the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat (5); only one symbol still valid (4); column balance closes the line (4); row balance forces the last symbol (4); two matching symbols sandwich this cell (3); a × sign demands opposites (2); an = sign links neighbors (1). Hypothesis (three-in-a-row trap): Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby.
Early samples: R1C3 → Sun (a × sign demands opposites); R1C4 → Moon (two matching symbols sandwich this cell); R2C3 → Sun (only one symbol still valid). Mid-grid samples: R3C5 = Moon, R4C2 = Sun. Terminal samples: R6C5 → Sun and R6C6 → Moon. Each placement should cite a rule — naked single, balance, sign, or no-three.
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: 1 equal signs require matching neighbors; 2 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.
Lab result: Three-in-a-row trap. 18 suns and 18 moons across the 6×6 grid. Technique histogram: the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat (5); only one symbol still valid (4); column balance closes the line (4); row balance forces the last symbol (4); two matching symbols sandwich this cell (3); a × sign demands opposites (2); an = sign links neighbors (1).
Cells
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. The × sign between this cell and Row 1, column 2 means they must differ — Row 1, column 2 is Moon, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Sample 1: Sun at R1C3 because a × sign demands opposites. Start from givens and adjacent signs.
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 1 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Sample 2: Moon at R1C4 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon.
Solving note
Sample 3: Sun at R2C3 because only one symbol still valid. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 4 still needs 3 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Sample 4: Sun at R2C4 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun.
Solving note
Sample 5: Moon at R2C2 because only one symbol still valid. 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.
Solving note
Sample 6: Moon at R2C5 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 4 still needs 2 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Sample 7: Sun at R3C4 because column balance closes the line. 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
Sample 8: Moon at R3C5 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the right — this cell cannot be moon.
Solving note
Sample 9: Sun at R4C2 because only one symbol still valid. 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. Two moons sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Sun. Column 5 still needs 2 more suns for balance.
Solving note
Sample 10: Sun at R4C5 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 6 means they must match — Row 3, column 6 is Moon, so this cell is Moon.
Solving note
Sample 11: Moon at R4C6 because an = sign links neighbors. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon.
Solving note
Sample 12: Sun at R2C6 because only one symbol still valid. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 2 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Sample 13: Moon at R2C1 because row balance forces the last symbol. 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
Sample 14: Sun at R4C1 because row balance forces the last symbol. 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.
Solving note
Sample 15: Moon at R5C1 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 above — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule.
Solving note
Sample 16: Moon at R5C2 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 to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Row 5 still needs 2 more suns to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns.
Solving note
Sample 17: Sun at R5C3 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Two moons sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Sun. Row 5 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns. Column 4 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Sample 18: Sun at R5C4 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 1 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Sample 19: Sun at R6C1 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 2 still needs 1 more sun for balance.
Solving note
Sample 20: Sun at R6C2 because column balance closes the line. 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. Column 3 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Sample 21: Moon at R6C3 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 to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Column 5 still needs 1 more sun for balance. The × sign between this cell and Row 5, column 5 means they must differ — Row 5, column 5 is Moon, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Sample 22: Sun at R6C5 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
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
Sample 23: Moon at R6C6 because row balance forces the last symbol. Final open cell — grid complete after this.
Verification
Optimal deduction sequence length: 23. Constraint coverage: 3 edges, 1 equal / 2 opposite. Pattern: three-in-a-row trap.
Solve path
Phase 1: 6×6 Tango board with 13 locked clues and 3 adjacency signs — each row and column needs 3 suns and 3 moons with no three identical symbols in a line. Step 1: R1C3 → Sun (opposite sign). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 2: R1C4 → Moon (sandwich rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Step 3: R2C3 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Step 4: R2C4 → Sun (column balance). Column 4 still needs 3 more suns for balance. Step 5: R2C2 → Moon (naked single). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Step 6: R2C5 → 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. Step 7: R3C4 → Sun (column balance). Column 4 still needs 2 more suns for balance. Step 8: R3C5 → 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 9: R4C2 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the right — this cell cannot be moon. Step 10: R4C5 → Sun (sandwich 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 11: R4C6 → Moon (equal sign). The = sign between this cell and Row 3, column 6 means they must match — Row 3, column 6 is Moon, so this cell is Moon. Step 12: R2C6 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Step 13: R2C1 → Moon (row balance). Row 2 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Step 14: R4C1 → 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 15: R5C1 → Moon (no-three rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit above — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 16: R5C2 → Moon (no-three rule). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit above — a third sun here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 17: R5C3 → 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 18: R5C4 → Sun (sandwich rule). Two moons sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Sun. Step 19: R6C1 → Sun (column balance). Column 1 still needs 1 more sun for balance. Step 20: R6C2 → Sun (column balance). Column 2 still needs 1 more sun for balance. Step 21: R6C3 → 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. Step 22: R6C5 → Sun (opposite sign). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Step 23: R6C6 → Moon (row balance). Row 6 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. 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
Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby.
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
All 36 cells on 6×6 satisfy Tango rules. Deduction techniques: the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat (5); only one symbol still valid (4); column balance closes the line (4); row balance forces the last symbol (4); two matching symbols sandwich this cell (3); a × sign demands opposites (2); an = sign links neighbors (1).
3 signs on 36 cells — moderate sign density. Three-in-a-row trap boards favor × alternation.
Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby.
Solution
This 6×6 grid has 13 locked clues and 3 adjacency signs (1 equal, 2 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). Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby. 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.