Home Archive 2026-01-27

Pips Answer for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Complete NYT Pips puzzle solution with interactive board and expert analysis.

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Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2026-01-27

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-01-27

Complete answer for 2026-01-27 (Easy)

I started by looking at the Easy puzzle by Ian Livengood. In these smaller grids, the key is usually identifying where the dominoes must live based on the constraints.

I noticed the region at (0,1) had to be greater than 5, which immediately suggested a 6 since we're dealing with standard pips. I paired the [3,1] and [3,0] domino first because the empty regions at (0,0) and (3,0) restricted the flow.

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-01-27

<10

Complete answer for 2026-01-27 (Medium)

For the Medium puzzle by Rodolfo Kurchan, I focused on the sum regions. The sum of 12 for three cells at (0,2), (0,3), and (0,4) is a great anchor.

Since the dominoes available were limited, I tested combinations like [4,5] and [6,4] to see how they fit into the equals and less-than constraints. The tricky part was the sum of 5 in the middle; I had to carefully place [1,1] and [2,4] to ensure the total worked out without blocking the remaining pieces. On the

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-01-27

>15

Complete answer for 2026-01-27 (Hard)

Hard puzzle, it was a much bigger challenge. I looked for the 'greater than' targets that were high, like the 15 and 9s. For the target of 15 across (4,2), (4,3), and (5,3), I knew I needed high-value pips like 6s and 5s.

I systematically placed the [6,5] and [4,6] dominoes in those high-demand areas. I used a process of elimination for the empty cells at (0,2), (1,2), and (5,2), which helped narrow down where the [5,0] and [1,2] dominoes could safely sit. It's all about checking the neighbors and making sure no domino is left without a spot.

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What I Learned

One thing that really stood out today was how the 'empty' regions act as natural walls that dictate the entire flow of the board. In the Hard puzzle, the placement of the [0,6] domino was particularly clever because it had to satisfy multiple 'greater than' regions simultaneously.

I learned that starting with the largest constraints (like the sum of 15 or values greater than 9) usually makes the rest of the board fall into place much faster. I also noticed a pattern where Rodolfo Kurchan likes to use 'equals' constraints to force specific domino orientations, which happened twice in the Medium puzzle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to start a Pips puzzle?

Always look for the most restrictive regions first. This usually means high sums, very high or low 'greater than'/'less than' targets, or areas where 'empty' cells limit the number of possible domino placements.

Can dominoes be placed diagonally?

No, dominoes must always be placed either horizontally or vertically, covering two adjacent cells in the grid.

What does an 'empty' region mean in the puzzle data?

An empty region usually indicates a cell that doesn't have a specific mathematical constraint like a sum or comparison, but its position is still vital for the physical placement of the dominoes.

How do you handle the 'greater than' constraints in the Hard puzzle?

Focus on the highest numbers first. If a region of three cells must be greater than 15, you know you are looking for pips with values like 5 and 6. This narrows down your domino choices significantly.

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