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Past puzzleSeptember 10, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 10, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 10, 2026 (2026-09-10) with hints and answers for every level.

September 10, 2026

Pips hints and answers

Use the board and domino inventory as your reference. Each level has separate area clues, an optional placement from the recorded answer, and its complete solution.

Easy · 5 pieces

Easy board

3 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2Sum > 17
A3All equal
A3All equal
A4Sum > 4
A2Sum > 17
A2Sum > 17
A5All equal
A6Sum = 3
A5All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 17Area 3: All equalArea 4: Sum > 4Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 3

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 0-4; Piece 2: 6-5; Piece 3: 4-6; Piece 4: 1-6; Piece 5: 0-3.

Where to look

Area 4 has 1 cell: Sum > 4. Look at row 2, column 1.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 2 (6 | 5), horizontal: row 2, column 2 has 6, paired with row 2, column 1 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

3 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11No rule
A26Sum > 17
A34All equal
A34All equal
A45Sum > 4
A26Sum > 17
A26Sum > 17
A50All equal
A63Sum = 3
A50All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 17Area 3: All equalArea 4: Sum > 4Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 3

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (0 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 4 = 0, paired with row 1, column 4 = 4.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 2 = 6, paired with row 2, column 1 = 5.
  3. Piece 3 (4 | 6): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 4, paired with row 2, column 3 = 6.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 6): horizontal; row 1, column 1 = 1, paired with row 1, column 2 = 6.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 0, paired with row 3, column 3 = 3.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 17. 6 + 6 + 6 = 18 > 17.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  5. Area 5: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 4
A1Sum = 4
A2No rule
A3All equal
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum = 5
A6Sum > 0
A3All equal
A7Sum = 4
A8All equal
A9Sum = 6
A9Sum = 6
A8All equal
Area 1: Sum = 4Area 2: No ruleArea 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 5Area 6: Sum > 0Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum = 6

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 4-6; Piece 2: 0-0; Piece 3: 3-3; Piece 4: 0-1; Piece 5: 2-2; Piece 6: 0-5; Piece 7: 6-0.

Where to look

Area 5 has 1 cell: Sum = 5. Look at row 2, column 4.

A local clue for Area 1

The two cells in Area 1 must total 4. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 4; 1 + 3; 2 + 2.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 6 (0 | 5), horizontal: row 2, column 3 has 0, paired with row 2, column 4 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A12Sum = 4
A12Sum = 4
A20No rule
A36All equal
A40All equal
A40All equal
A55Sum = 5
A61Sum > 0
A36All equal
A74Sum = 4
A80All equal
A93Sum = 6
A93Sum = 6
A80All equal
Area 1: Sum = 4Area 2: No ruleArea 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 5Area 6: Sum > 0Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum = 6

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (4 | 6): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 4, paired with row 3, column 1 = 6.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 0, paired with row 4, column 4 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 4, column 2 = 3, paired with row 4, column 3 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 5 = 0, paired with row 2, column 5 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 1, column 3 = 2, paired with row 1, column 4 = 2.
  6. Piece 6 (0 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 0, paired with row 2, column 4 = 5.
  7. Piece 7 (6 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 1 = 6, paired with row 2, column 2 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 4. 2 + 2 = 4; target 4.
  2. Area 2: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 0. 1 = 1 > 0.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  8. Area 8: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 6. 3 + 3 = 6; target 6.

Hard · 14 pieces

Hard board

9 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 0
A2Sum = 15
A3Sum < 3
A2Sum = 15
A4Sum > 3
A2Sum = 15
A5Sum = 0
A6Sum > 2
A7Sum = 0
A8Sum > 4
A9Sum < 4
A9Sum < 4
A10Sum = 2
A10Sum = 2
A11Sum = 0
A12Sum < 3
A13Sum = 3
A14All equal
A14All equal
A15All equal
A11Sum = 0
A14All equal
A15All equal
A15All equal
A15All equal
A16Sum = 8
A16Sum = 8
A17Sum = 1
Area 1: Sum = 0Area 2: Sum = 15Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 0Area 6: Sum > 2Area 7: Sum = 0Area 8: Sum > 4Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: Sum = 2Area 11: Sum = 0Area 12: Sum < 3Area 13: Sum = 3Area 14: All equalArea 15: All equalArea 16: Sum = 8Area 17: Sum = 1

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 1-3; Piece 2: 5-4; Piece 3: 1-5; Piece 4: 0-0; Piece 5: 1-2; Piece 6: 3-0; Piece 7: 6-2; Piece 8: 0-1; Piece 9: 2-2; Piece 10: 0-6; Piece 11: 5-5; Piece 12: 2-0; Piece 13: 4-4; Piece 14: 5-0.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 0. Look at row 1, column 2.

A local clue for Area 10

The two cells in Area 10 must total 2. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 2; 1 + 1.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 10 (0 | 6), horizontal: row 1, column 2 has 0, paired with row 1, column 3 containing 6.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

9 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A10Sum = 0
A26Sum = 15
A32Sum < 3
A25Sum = 15
A46Sum > 3
A24Sum = 15
A50Sum = 0
A63Sum > 2
A70Sum = 0
A85Sum > 4
A90Sum < 4
A90Sum < 4
A101Sum = 2
A101Sum = 2
A110Sum = 0
A121Sum < 3
A133Sum = 3
A145All equal
A145All equal
A152All equal
A110Sum = 0
A145All equal
A152All equal
A152All equal
A152All equal
A164Sum = 8
A164Sum = 8
A171Sum = 1
Area 1: Sum = 0Area 2: Sum = 15Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 0Area 6: Sum > 2Area 7: Sum = 0Area 8: Sum > 4Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: Sum = 2Area 11: Sum = 0Area 12: Sum < 3Area 13: Sum = 3Area 14: All equalArea 15: All equalArea 16: Sum = 8Area 17: Sum = 1

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (1 | 3): horizontal; row 7, column 5 = 1, paired with row 7, column 6 = 3.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 5, paired with row 3, column 3 = 4.
  3. Piece 3 (1 | 5): vertical; row 9, column 9 = 1, paired with row 8, column 9 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 0): vertical; row 4, column 7 = 0, paired with row 5, column 7 = 0.
  5. Piece 5 (1 | 2): vertical; row 7, column 1 = 1, paired with row 8, column 1 = 2.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 0): horizontal; row 3, column 6 = 3, paired with row 3, column 5 = 0.
  7. Piece 7 (6 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 7 = 6, paired with row 1, column 7 = 2.
  8. Piece 8 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 7, column 3 = 0, paired with row 7, column 2 = 1.
  9. Piece 9 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 9, column 1 = 2, paired with row 9, column 2 = 2.
  10. Piece 10 (0 | 6): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 0, paired with row 1, column 3 = 6.
  11. Piece 11 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 7, column 8 = 5, paired with row 7, column 9 = 5.
  12. Piece 12 (2 | 0): vertical; row 9, column 3 = 2, paired with row 8, column 3 = 0.
  13. Piece 13 (4 | 4): horizontal; row 9, column 5 = 4, paired with row 9, column 6 = 4.
  14. Piece 14 (5 | 0): horizontal; row 3, column 9 = 5, paired with row 3, column 8 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 15. 6 + 5 + 4 = 15; target 15.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 3. 2 = 2 < 3.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 3. 6 = 6 > 3.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 2. 3 = 3 > 2.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  8. Area 8: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  9. Area 9: Sum < 4. 0 + 0 = 0 < 4.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 2. 1 + 1 = 2; target 2.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 0. 0 + 0 = 0; target 0.
  12. Area 12: Sum < 3. 1 = 1 < 3.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  14. Area 14: All equal. 5 = 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  15. Area 15: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 8. 4 + 4 = 8; target 8.
  17. Area 17: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.

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