TodayHint

Pips September 7, 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 10 regions. The medium board involves 7 dominoes and 8 regions with a mix of constraints. The hard board features 15 dominoes and 13 regions, demanding careful consideration of interconnected constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 10 regions

5–03–44–26–54–6

  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 6.
  • 3 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 5.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 4.
  • one cell: more than 2.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 8 regions

4–62–14–52–31–42–52–4

  • 2 ×one cell: under 3.
  • one cell: under 6.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • 3 ×two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: left uncovered.

More dominoes and regions than easy, with varied constraints.

Hard board · 15 dominoes · 13 regions

0–43–25–50–16–60–23–32–61–52–26–54–46–31–10–6

  • 2 ×three cells: all matching.
  • three cells: exactly 9.
  • four cells: all different.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 4.
  • one cell: exactly 2.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • two cells: exactly 2.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • three cells: exactly 3.
  • two cells: more than 9.

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, 10 regions (6 sum, 3 empty, 1 greater)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 8 regions (4 equals, 3 less, 1 empty)
    Hard board
    15 dominoes, 13 regions (8 sum, 3 equals, 1 greater, 1 unequal)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the most limited possibilities, such as those with sum constraints over a single cell.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that requires a sum of 6 over 1 cell.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with equality constraints, as these can help anchor the placement of dominoes.

    Start with the region that requires equality over 4 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Identify clusters of regions with interconnected constraints to systematically satisfy them.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with the region that requires a sum of 9 over 3 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 5/0 domino first, as it only fits in one spot. Then, focus on regions with single-cell sum constraints. The 3/4 domino goes in the sum 7 region, but there's no sum 7 region, so try sum 6 and 5 regions. Place 4/2 and 6/5 dominoes, considering their impact on neighboring regions. Continue filling in dominoes, using process of elimination and constraint satisfaction.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing dominoes that satisfy equality constraints. Use the equals over 4 cells region to place the 4/6 and 2/3 dominoes. Then, focus on regions with specific sum or comparison constraints. Place the 2/1 domino in the less 3 region. Continue with the remaining dominoes, ensuring all constraints are satisfied.

  • Hard board · 15 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing dominoes that satisfy the sum 9 over 3 cells and equals over 3 cells constraints. Use these placements to inform the placement of dominoes in neighboring regions. Focus on regions with sum constraints, such as sum 4 over 2 cells and sum 2 over 1 cell. Place dominoes like 0/4, 6/6, and 5/5, considering their impact on multiple regions. Continue filling in dominoes, using process of elimination and constraint satisfaction to ensure all regions are correctly filled. Pay close attention to regions with greater 9 over 2 cells and unequal over 4 cells constraints, as these will require careful placement of dominoes to satisfy.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, September 7, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
27 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 10 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 8 regions
Hard board
15 dominoes · 13 regions

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