TodayHint

Pips September 28, 2026: Hints & Answers

Constructed by Ian Livengood, Rodolfo Kurchan, Rodolfo Kurchan, edited by Ian Livengood.

Recap

The easy board requires logical deduction from basic constraints. The medium board adds complexity with more regions and dominoes. The hard board demands meticulous planning and attention to overlapping constraints.

The three boards that day

The tray and each region's rule — board data, no solutions.

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 6 regions

0–04–41–42–56–3

  • one cell: under 2.
  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 10.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • one cell: exactly 2.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 7 regions

4–54–30–41–35–34–13–6

  • one cell: more than 1.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • one cell: exactly 4.
  • three cells: more than 10.
  • one cell: exactly 0.
  • four cells: more than 18.
  • three cells: under 8.

More regions and dominoes increase complexity.

Hard board · 14 dominoes · 12 regions

3–01–11–53–34–50–41–22–26–34–60–51–32–44–4

  • 2 ×four cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×three cells: exactly 7.
  • three cells: exactly 8.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • two cells: exactly 1.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 4.
  • one cell: exactly 2.
  • two cells: more than 9.
  • three cells: more than 14.

Large number of dominoes and complex constraints make it challenging.

Pips hints, one rung at a time

Six rungs, easy board first. The recap above already named the walkthroughs, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the boards fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

  1. How the three boards compared

    Sizes and constraint mixes, counted off the boards.

    Easy board
    5 dominoes, 6 regions (3 sum, 2 equals, 1 less)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 7 regions (3 greater, 2 sum, 1 empty, 1 less)
    Hard board
    14 dominoes, 12 regions (7 sum, 3 greater, 2 equals)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with unique constraints, focusing on those that limit domino placement significantly.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that must sum to 2 over 1 cell.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with strict constraints like 'greater 1' or 'sum 0' to anchor your placements.

    Start with the region that must be empty over 1 cell.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

    Where the hard board differed in kind, not just size.

    Focus on regions with multiple constraints or those that overlap with several dominoes.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with a region that has an equals constraint over 4 cells.

    Open the full walkthroughs

Every Pips walkthrough from that day

All three walkthroughs, folded: each one places every domino on its board, one after another.

  • Easy board · 5 dominoes

    Easy board walkthrough

    Place the 0/0 domino. The sum 2 over 1 cell must be it. Then, place 4/4 and 1/4 dominoes, considering the equals and sum 10 constraints. Next, fit in 2/5 and 6/3, satisfying less and sum 8 conditions.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin with the empty cell region. Then, place dominoes to satisfy 'sum 4 over 1 cell' and 'greater 1 over 1 cell'. Continue with 'greater 18 over 4 cells' and 'less 8 over 3 cells', using process of elimination.

  • Hard board · 14 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by satisfying the 'equals over 4 cells' constraint. Then, place dominoes to meet 'sum 7 over 3 cells' and 'sum 8 over 3 cells'. Continue with 'greater 4 over 1 cell' and 'sum 1 over 2 cells'. Methodically work through 'sum 4 over 1 cell' and 'greater 9 over 2 cells', ensuring all constraints are met. The 'greater 14 over 3 cells' will help finalize placements.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, September 28, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
26 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 6 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 7 regions
Hard board
14 dominoes · 12 regions

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