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Pips September 5, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement of 5 dominoes across 7 regions. The medium board involves 7 dominoes and 9 regions with a focus on sum constraints. The hard board is the most complex, with 12 dominoes and 15 regions that require careful consideration of various constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 7 regions

2–65–26–15–43–3

  • 3 ×two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: more than 3.
  • one cell: more than 5.
  • one cell: under 3.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 9 regions

0–64–40–21–60–56–60–3

  • one cell: more than 0.
  • 2 ×three cells: exactly 15.
  • 4 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • two cells: exactly 10.
  • one cell: more than 1.

More regions and dominoes add complexity.

Hard board · 12 dominoes · 15 regions

4–12–56–03–51–23–31–52–65–53–06–64–5

  • 3 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×three cells: exactly 15.
  • 2 ×one cell: more than 3.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • one cell: under 3.
  • one cell: more than 2.
  • two cells: exactly 5.
  • one cell: exactly 5.
  • two cells: exactly 3.
  • one cell: more than 1.

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, 7 regions (3 equals, 3 greater, 1 less)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 9 regions (4 empty, 3 sum, 2 greater)
    Hard board
    12 dominoes, 15 regions (6 sum, 4 greater, 3 empty, 1 equals, 1 less)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with unique constraints to narrow down domino placements.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that has a 'greater 5 over 1 cell' constraint.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Focus on regions with specific sum constraints to limit domino options.

    Start with the region that requires a sum of 15 over 3 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Begin with regions that have strict constraints like 'equals over 4 cells' to establish a foundation.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Start with the 'equals over 4 cell' constraint region.

    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 5/2 in top left, 6/1 below it. Next, place 3/3 in bottom left, 2/6 above it, and 5/4 to the right. Adjust according to constraints.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Place 6/6 in top left, 0/6 to its right. Continue with 4/4 below, and adjust other dominoes to fit sum and comparison constraints.

  • Hard board · 12 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Place 6/0 in top left corner. Position 5/5 and 4/5 nearby, considering their constraints. Continue placing dominoes like 3/5, 2/5, and 1/5 in a way that satisfies regional constraints. Ensure 3/3 and 1/2 fit with their neighboring regions. As you progress, adjust placements to meet 'sum 15 over 3 cells' and other constraints. Finalize with careful attention to 'greater 3 over 1 cell' and 'less 3 over 1 cell' regions.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
24 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 7 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 9 regions
Hard board
12 dominoes · 15 regions

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