Patches #20 Hints & Answer

Here is the full answer to Patches puzzle #20. You fill every cell with rectangles, each holding exactly one clue. The solve falls into 7 stages — start from the clues whose size and shape leave only one option, then chain the deductions.

Step-by-step solution

1. Step 1

   Work the square clue around row 6, col 6. With 1 cells to cover and a fixed shape, only one rectangle fits without overlapping a neighbour. Commit to it and the board tightens.

2. Step 2

   Look at the tall clue near row 4, col 1. Its number 4 fixes the rectangle’s area, so draw the block that covers exactly 4 cells around it without touching another clue. Lock it in before moving on.

3. Step 3

   The wide clue at row 6, col 5 can only be filled one way: a rectangle of area 4 that matches its proportions. Place it now — once it is down, the cells beside it stop being ambiguous.

4. Step 4

   Work the tall clue around row 5, col 5. With 12 cells to cover and a fixed shape, only one rectangle fits without overlapping a neighbour. Commit to it and the board tightens.

5. Step 5

   Look at the square clue near row 6, col 1. Its number 1 fixes the rectangle’s area, so draw the block that covers exactly 1 cells around it without touching another clue. Lock it in before moving on.

6. Step 6

   The tall clue at row 5, col 2 can only be filled one way: a rectangle of area 8 that matches its proportions. Place it now — once it is down, the cells beside it stop being ambiguous.

7. Step 7

   Finally resolve the dashed any-shape clue near row 1, col 3. Its rectangle can be any proportion, so fill it last — the surrounding blocks now leave only one valid placement that covers every remaining cell.