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LinkedIn Patches #156 answer — Thursday, August 20, 2026

Patches · Split the grid into rectangles, one clue per rectangle · puzzle #156

Stuck on today's LinkedIn Patches? Three progressive hints come first, then the full solution — tap to reveal as much or as little as you want. Other games today: Mini Sudoku · Wend · Zip · Queens · Tango · Pinpoint · Crossclimb.

Patches #156 is a 7×7 grid with 8 clues, 6 of them with the area hidden. The hidden-area clue marked "wide" at row 4, column 2 has only one legal rectangle, so it is the obvious first cut. Prime areas (2, 3, 5, 7) must be single strips, which pins them fast.

Hints

Hint 1 — where to start

The hidden-area clue marked "wide" at row 4, column 2 fits exactly one way: it must be 1 tall by 2 wide, so draw it first.

Hint 2 — a solid foothold

The 2 marked "any shape" at row 4, column 3 is the rectangle from row 4, column 3, 1 tall by 2 wide.

Hint 3 — nearly there

The 4 marked "any shape" at row 4, column 5 is the rectangle from row 4, column 5, 4 tall by 1 wide. The rest follows from what is left uncovered.

Solution

Tap any part to reveal it, or reveal everything at once.

A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
?✚ any shape
?✚ any shape
B
C
?▬ wide
2✚ any shape
D
4✚ any shape
?▮ tall
F
G
?✚ any shape
?✚ any shape
H
E
F
F
G
G
H
H
E
F
F
G
G
H
H
E
F
F
Solution as text
  1. Rectangle A: 3 tall by 5 wide, top-left at row 1, column 1 (area 15, contains the hidden-area clue marked "any shape" at row 3, column 5).
  2. Rectangle B: 3 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 1, column 6 (area 6, contains the hidden-area clue marked "any shape" at row 3, column 6).
  3. Rectangle C: 1 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 4, column 1 (area 2, contains the hidden-area clue marked "wide" at row 4, column 2).
  4. Rectangle D: 1 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 4, column 3 (area 2, contains the 2 marked "any shape" at row 4, column 3).
  5. Rectangle E: 4 tall by 1 wide, top-left at row 4, column 5 (area 4, contains the 4 marked "any shape" at row 4, column 5).
  6. Rectangle F: 4 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 4, column 6 (area 8, contains the hidden-area clue marked "tall" at row 4, column 6).
  7. Rectangle G: 3 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 5, column 1 (area 6, contains the hidden-area clue marked "any shape" at row 5, column 2).
  8. Rectangle H: 3 tall by 2 wide, top-left at row 5, column 3 (area 6, contains the hidden-area clue marked "any shape" at row 5, column 3).

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Patches is a game by LinkedIn. This page is an independent solving guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft. Puzzle contents are described for the purpose of commentary and help; play the original at linkedin.com/games.