How to Play LinkedIn Patches
Patches is LinkedIn's latest logic puzzle. Its core gameplay involves dividing the grid into areas, similar to the classic Japanese logic puzzle "Shikaku" (also known as Rectangles), but with unique added shape constraints.
Below is the LinkedIn Patches Gameplay Guide prepared for you:
🧩 Core Objective
Divide the entire grid into non-overlapping rectangles (including squares). By the end of the game, every single cell must belong to exactly one shape, and no empty spaces should remain.
đź“Ź Gameplay Rules
1. Numbers Represent Area
Each numbered cell acts as the "anchor" for a shape. The number indicates the total number of cells that shape must occupy.
- Example: A 9 can be a 3 x 3 square, a 1 x 9 vertical strip, or a 9 x 1 horizontal strip.
- Example: A 5 can only be a 1 x 5 or 5 x 1 rectangle (since 5 is a prime number, it has no other factors except 1 and itself).
- Uniqueness: Each divided shape must contain exactly one number.
2. Shape Indicators (Background Hints)
The shaded pattern behind each number dictates the specific proportions the shape must follow:
- Square: A solid square background means the length and width must be equal (e.g., 2 x 2 or 3 x 3).
- Tall Rectangle: A vertical rectangular background means the shape must be vertical (e.g., 1 x 3 or 1 x 5).
- Wide Rectangle: A horizontal rectangular background means the shape must be horizontal (e.g., 3 x 1 or 5 x 1).
- Any Shape: A dashed cross-hatch background means the area can form any valid rectangle for that number.
3. Logical Completion
The game is a logic loop. Once all numbered shapes are drawn, the grid must be completely filled. If isolated empty cells are left over, it means at least one of your shapes has been placed incorrectly.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- Start with Primes and Borders: Numbers like 3, 5, or 7 near the edges often have only one or two possible directions, making them the best starting points.
- Leverage Square Restrictions: A 9 marked as a square must be 3 x 3. In a limited grid, this significantly narrows down the options for surrounding numbers.
- Watch for Interference: If the potential paths of two shapes overlap, try "mental testing" one path. If it makes it impossible for the other shape to satisfy its own rules, your current path is wrong.