2026-01-05
Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Analytical breakdown format — cell deductions, sign analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
Tango Level 5 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 (2 equal, 1 opposite).
Analysis
Tango Level 5 is a 6×6 Tango board with 13 starting clues and 3 adjacency signs (2 equal, 1 opposite). Every row and column must contain exactly 3 suns and 3 moons, with no three identical symbols consecutive horizontally or vertically.
Technique mix on this archive board: row balance forces the last symbol (7); two matching symbols sandwich this cell (4); column balance closes the line (4); the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat (3); only one symbol still valid (2); an = sign links neighbors (2); a × sign demands opposites (1). Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby. Equal signs force matching neighbors; opposite signs force different symbols — propagate those pairs before guessing on isolated cells.
Opening deductions (R4C2 → Sun (only one symbol still valid); R3C2 → Moon (two matching symbols sandwich this cell); R4C5 → Sun (the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat)) establish the first propagation chains from givens and signs. Mid-board (R2C3 = Moon, R2C4 = Moon) is where row and column totals start forcing symbols even without direct sign links. The endgame (R6C5 → Sun and R6C6 → Moon) typically finishes with line-balance pins on the last open rows or columns.
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: 2 equal signs require matching neighbors; 1 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.
Final grid: 18 suns and 18 moons across the 6×6 grid. Pattern tag: three-in-a-row trap. 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). All 3 sign constraints satisfied.
Cells
Reasoning
Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the right — this cell cannot be moon.
Solving note
Deduction 1: Sun at R4C2 because only one symbol still valid. Start from givens and adjacent signs.
Reasoning
Two suns sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Moon.
Solving note
Deduction 2: Moon at R3C2 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. 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
Deduction 3: Sun at R4C5 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 4 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Deduction 4: Moon at R4C6 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.
Solving note
Deduction 5: Sun at R2C6 because only one symbol still valid. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
The = sign between this cell and Row 2, column 6 means they must match — Row 2, column 6 is Sun, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Deduction 6: Sun at R2C5 because an = sign links neighbors. 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
Deduction 7: 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
Deduction 8: Moon at R2C3 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. Row 2 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons.
Solving note
Deduction 9: Moon at R2C4 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Two moons sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Sun.
Solving note
Deduction 10: Sun at R3C3 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. 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. Two suns sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Moon.
Solving note
Deduction 11: Moon at R3C5 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 3 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns.
Solving note
Deduction 12: Sun at R3C1 because row balance forces the last symbol. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 1 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Deduction 13: Moon at R1C1 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
The × sign between this cell and Row 4, column 4 means they must differ — Row 4, column 4 is Moon, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Deduction 14: Sun at R5C4 because a × sign demands opposites. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 4 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Deduction 15: Moon at R1C4 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Row 1 still needs 2 more suns to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns.
Solving note
Deduction 16: Sun at R1C2 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 left — a third moon here would break the no-three-in-a-row rule. Row 1 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns.
Solving note
Deduction 17: Sun at R1C6 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 right — this cell cannot be sun. Row 5 still needs 2 more moons to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Column 2 still needs 2 more moons for balance.
Solving note
Deduction 18: Moon at R5C2 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 left — 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.
Solving note
Deduction 19: Moon at R5C5 because two matching symbols sandwich this cell. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 2 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Deduction 20: Moon at R6C2 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 3 still needs 1 more moon for balance.
Solving note
Deduction 21: Moon at R6C3 because column balance closes the line. Update row/column counts before the next placement.
Reasoning
Column 5 still needs 1 more sun for balance. The = sign between this cell and Row 6, column 4 means they must match — Row 6, column 4 is Sun, so this cell is Sun.
Solving note
Deduction 22: Sun at R6C5 because an = sign links neighbors. 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
Deduction 23: Moon at R6C6 because the no-three-in-a-row rule blocks a repeat. Final open cell — grid complete after this.
Verification
The simulated solve order (R4C2 → R3C2 → R4C5 → R4C6 → R2C6 → R2C5 → R2C1 → R2C3 → R2C4 → R3C3 → R3C5 → R3C1 → R1C1 → R5C4 → R1C4 → R1C2 → R1C6 → R5C2 → R5C5 → R6C2 → R6C3 → R6C5 → R6C6) applies only logically forced placements — each step uses only one symbol still valid, line balance, sign propagation, or the no-three rule. The completed grid satisfies 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). Every = and × edge on this 6×6 board is consistent.
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: R4C2 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit to the right — this cell cannot be moon. Step 2: R3C2 → Moon (sandwich rule). Two suns sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Moon. Step 3: R4C5 → 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 4: R4C6 → Moon (row balance). Row 4 still needs 1 more moon to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be moons. Step 5: R2C6 → Sun (naked single). Moon is ruled out: Two moons sit below — this cell cannot be moon. Step 6: R2C5 → Sun (equal sign). The = sign between this cell and Row 2, column 6 means they must match — Row 2, column 6 is Sun, so this cell is Sun. Step 7: 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 8: R2C3 → 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 9: R2C4 → Moon (row balance). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Step 10: R3C3 → Sun (sandwich rule). Two moons sandwich this cell vertically — it must be Sun. Step 11: R3C5 → Moon (sandwich 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 12: R3C1 → Sun (row balance). Row 3 still needs 1 more sun to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns. Step 13: R1C1 → Moon (column balance). Column 1 still needs 1 more moon for balance. Step 14: R5C4 → Sun (opposite sign). The × sign between this cell and Row 4, column 4 means they must differ — Row 4, column 4 is Moon, so this cell is Sun. Step 15: R1C4 → Moon (column balance). Column 4 still needs 1 more moon for balance. Step 16: R1C2 → Sun (row balance). Row 1 still needs 2 more suns to reach the 3-and-3 balance, so the remaining open cells must be suns. Step 17: 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 18: R5C2 → Moon (row balance). Sun is ruled out: Two suns sit to the right — this cell cannot be sun. Step 19: R5C5 → Moon (sandwich 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 20: R6C2 → Moon (column balance). Column 2 still needs 1 more moon for balance. Step 21: R6C3 → Moon (column balance). Column 3 still needs 1 more moon for balance. Step 22: R6C5 → Sun (equal sign). Column 5 still needs 1 more sun for balance. 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
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
On Tango Level 5, 3 adjacency signs (2 =, 1 ×) do more work than random fills. Watch for two identical symbols in a row or column — the no-three rule blocks the third and often forces the opposite symbol nearby.
Each row and column needs 3 suns and 3 moons. When a line has one empty cell and needs one more sun, that cell is sun — no guess required.
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 (2 equal, 1 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.