Queens Gamers

LinkedIn Queens #913 Answer & Hints – October 30, 2026

Independent walkthrough by Queens Gamers · · 8×8 · Play on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Queens hints and the full solution for puzzle #913 on October 30, 2026. Follow 24 verified deductions on this 8×8 board, starting with region 4.

Unsolved Queens #913 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells.

Region 1 (5 cells) · Region 2 (9 cells) · Region 3 (22 cells) · Region 4 (7 cells) · Region 5 (8 cells) · Region 6 (6 cells) · Region 7 (4 cells) · Region 8 (3 cells)

LinkedIn Queens #913 hints

Open one hint at a time. Reveal the full answer only when you are ready.

Hint 1

Start with region 4. Its candidates are 7 cells (see details). Which outside cells conflict with every candidate? Remember that each row, column and region needs exactly one Queen.

View 7 coordinate references

Start with region 4. Its candidates are R2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1. Which outside cells conflict with every candidate? Remember that each row, column and region needs exactly one Queen.

Starting board: no deductions applied yet.

Hint 1: starting candidates · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
7 cellsR2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1
Hint 2

Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from 7 cells (see details).

View 7 coordinate references

Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with 4 cells (see details) through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

View 8 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1 through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R2C1 ×. Every possible Queen in region 4 rules out these cells.

Board after step 1; earlier deductions are already applied.

Hint 2: after step 1 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
7 cellsR2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR2C1
Hint 3

Step 1: Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from 7 cells (see details).

View 7 coordinate references

Step 1: Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with 4 cells (see details) through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

View 8 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1 through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R2C1 ×. Every possible Queen in region 4 rules out these cells.

Step 2: Observe: region 1 has 4 remaining candidates: R1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4. All lie in row 1.

Rule: region 1 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 1. row 1 can contain no second Queen outside region 1.

Therefore: mark R1C5, R1C6, R1C7, R1C8 ×.

Step 3: Observe: region 7 must contain one Queen, chosen from R7C4, R7C5, R8C3, R8C4.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C3 conflicts with R7C4, R7C5 through the same row (row 7); with R8C3 through the same column (column 3); with R8C4 through diagonally adjacent cells. R8C5 conflicts with R7C4 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R7C5 through the same column (column 5); with R8C3, R8C4 through the same row (row 8).

View 10 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C3 conflicts with R7C4, R7C5 through the same row (row 7); with R8C3 through the same column (column 3); with R8C4 through diagonally adjacent cells. R8C5 conflicts with R7C4 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R7C5 through the same column (column 5); with R8C3, R8C4 through the same row (row 8).

Therefore: mark R7C3, R8C5 ×. Every possible Queen in region 7 rules out these cells.

Step 4: Observe: region 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R6C7, R6C8, R7C6, R7C7, R8C6.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R6C6 conflicts with R6C7, R6C8 through the same row (row 6); with R7C6, R8C6 through the same column (column 6); with R7C7 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R6C6 ×. Every possible Queen in region 6 rules out these cells.

Step 5: Observe: region 8 must contain one Queen, chosen from R7C8, R8C7, R8C8.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C7 conflicts with R7C8 through the same row (row 7); with R8C7 through the same column (column 7); with R8C8 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R7C7 ×. Every possible Queen in region 8 rules out these cells.

Step 6: Observe: region 1 and region 7 and region 8 have remaining candidates 11 cells (see details), all within row 1 and row 7 and row 8.

View 11 coordinate references

Step 6: Observe: region 1 and region 7 and region 8 have remaining candidates R1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4, R7C4, R7C5, R7C8, R8C3, R8C4, R8C7, R8C8, all within row 1 and row 7 and row 8.

Rule: these 3 groups need distinct Queens, filling all 3 target groups.

Therefore: mark R7C1, R7C2, R7C6, R8C1, R8C2, R8C6 ×. These cells lie outside the groups that reserve those Queens.

Step 7: Observe: region 6 has 2 remaining candidates: R6C7, R6C8. All lie in row 6.

Rule: region 6 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 6. row 6 can contain no second Queen outside region 6.

Therefore: mark R6C1, R6C2, R6C3, R6C4, R6C5 ×.

Step 8: Observe: row 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R6C7, R6C8.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R5C7 conflicts with R6C7 through the same column (column 7); with R6C8 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8). R7C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8).

View 9 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R5C7 conflicts with R6C7 through the same column (column 7); with R6C8 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8). R7C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8).

Therefore: mark R5C7, R5C8, R7C8 ×. Every possible Queen in row 6 rules out these cells.

Step 9: Observe: region 8 has 2 remaining candidates: R8C7, R8C8. All lie in row 8.

Rule: region 8 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 8. row 8 can contain no second Queen outside region 8.

Therefore: mark R8C3, R8C4 ×.

Step 10: Observe: column 1 must contain one Queen, chosen from R1C1, R3C1, R4C1, R5C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C2 conflicts with R1C1 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1 through the same region (region 4).

Therefore: mark R2C2 ×. Every possible Queen in column 1 rules out these cells.

Step 11: Observe: column 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C6, R3C6, R4C6, R5C6.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R4C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6 through the same region (region 3); with R4C6 through the same row (row 4); with R5C6 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C3 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C4 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5).

View 20 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R4C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6 through the same region (region 3); with R4C6 through the same row (row 4); with R5C6 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C3 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C4 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5).

Therefore: mark R4C5, R5C3, R5C4, R5C5 ×. Every possible Queen in column 6 rules out these cells.

Step 12: Observe: column 3 must contain one Queen, chosen from R1C3, R2C3, R3C3, R4C3.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C4 conflicts with R1C3 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C3, R4C3 through the same region (region 2).

Therefore: mark R2C4 ×. Every possible Queen in column 3 rules out these cells.

Step 13: Observe: row 6 and row 8 have remaining candidates R6C7, R6C8, R8C7, R8C8, all within column 7 and column 8.

Rule: these 2 groups need distinct Queens, filling all 2 target groups.

Therefore: mark R2C7, R2C8, R3C7, R3C8, R4C7, R4C8 ×. These cells lie outside the groups that reserve those Queens.

Step 14: Observe: region 5 has only one remaining candidate: R5C6.

Rule: every region needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R5C6. The 6 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 14; earlier deductions are already applied.

Hint 3: after step 14 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR5C6
 Changed this step (square marker):
7 cellsR2C6, R3C6, R4C6, R5C1, R5C2, R5C6, R6C7
Reveal answer

Queens #913 full solution

Full solution for LinkedIn Queens #913 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Queens show the complete solution.
Queen coordinates (rows and columns start at 1)
RowColumnRegion
R1C11
R2C34
R3C53
R4C22
R5C65
R6C86
R7C47
R8C78
How to solve LinkedIn Queens #913

Step-by-step walkthrough

The key insight

The opening deduction: Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from 7 cells (see details).

View 7 coordinate references

The opening deduction: Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with 4 cells (see details) through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

View 8 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1 through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R2C1 ×. Every possible Queen in region 4 rules out these cells.

Your solving route

  1. Steps 1–14: narrow the candidates until R5C6 is forced.
  2. Steps 15–24: use the confirmed Queens to eliminate conflicts, then repeat the deductions for the remaining regions.

Open each deduction to see the observation, rule and board changes.

Step 1 · Common exclusions

Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from 7 cells (see details).

View 7 coordinate references

Observe: region 4 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with 4 cells (see details) through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

View 8 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C1 conflicts with R2C2, R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1 through the same column (column 1); with R3C2 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R2C1 ×. Every possible Queen in region 4 rules out these cells.

Board after step 1 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
7 cellsR2C2, R2C3, R3C1, R3C2, R4C1, R5C1, R6C1
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR2C1
Step 2 · Locked candidates

Observe: region 1 has 4 remaining candidates: R1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4. All lie in row 1.

Rule: region 1 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 1. row 1 can contain no second Queen outside region 1.

Therefore: mark R1C5, R1C6, R1C7, R1C8 ×.

Board after step 2 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4
 Changed this step (square marker):
4 cellsR1C5, R1C6, R1C7, R1C8
Step 3 · Common exclusions

Observe: region 7 must contain one Queen, chosen from R7C4, R7C5, R8C3, R8C4.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C3 conflicts with R7C4, R7C5 through the same row (row 7); with R8C3 through the same column (column 3); with R8C4 through diagonally adjacent cells. R8C5 conflicts with R7C4 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R7C5 through the same column (column 5); with R8C3, R8C4 through the same row (row 8).

View 10 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C3 conflicts with R7C4, R7C5 through the same row (row 7); with R8C3 through the same column (column 3); with R8C4 through diagonally adjacent cells. R8C5 conflicts with R7C4 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R7C5 through the same column (column 5); with R8C3, R8C4 through the same row (row 8).

Therefore: mark R7C3, R8C5 ×. Every possible Queen in region 7 rules out these cells.

Board after step 3 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR7C4, R7C5, R8C3, R8C4
 Changed this step (square marker):
2 cellsR7C3, R8C5
Step 4 · Common exclusions

Observe: region 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R6C7, R6C8, R7C6, R7C7, R8C6.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R6C6 conflicts with R6C7, R6C8 through the same row (row 6); with R7C6, R8C6 through the same column (column 6); with R7C7 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R6C6 ×. Every possible Queen in region 6 rules out these cells.

Board after step 4 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
5 cellsR6C7, R6C8, R7C6, R7C7, R8C6
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR6C6
Step 5 · Common exclusions

Observe: region 8 must contain one Queen, chosen from R7C8, R8C7, R8C8.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R7C7 conflicts with R7C8 through the same row (row 7); with R8C7 through the same column (column 7); with R8C8 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R7C7 ×. Every possible Queen in region 8 rules out these cells.

Board after step 5 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
3 cellsR7C8, R8C7, R8C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR7C7
Step 6 · Reserved groups

Observe: region 1 and region 7 and region 8 have remaining candidates 11 cells (see details), all within row 1 and row 7 and row 8.

View 11 coordinate references

Observe: region 1 and region 7 and region 8 have remaining candidates R1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4, R7C4, R7C5, R7C8, R8C3, R8C4, R8C7, R8C8, all within row 1 and row 7 and row 8.

Rule: these 3 groups need distinct Queens, filling all 3 target groups.

Therefore: mark R7C1, R7C2, R7C6, R8C1, R8C2, R8C6 ×. These cells lie outside the groups that reserve those Queens.

Board after step 6 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
11 cellsR1C1, R1C2, R1C3, R1C4, R7C4, R7C5, R7C8, R8C3, R8C4, R8C7, R8C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
6 cellsR7C1, R7C2, R7C6, R8C1, R8C2, R8C6
Step 7 · Locked candidates

Observe: region 6 has 2 remaining candidates: R6C7, R6C8. All lie in row 6.

Rule: region 6 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 6. row 6 can contain no second Queen outside region 6.

Therefore: mark R6C1, R6C2, R6C3, R6C4, R6C5 ×.

Board after step 7 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR6C7, R6C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
5 cellsR6C1, R6C2, R6C3, R6C4, R6C5
Step 8 · Common exclusions

Observe: row 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R6C7, R6C8.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R5C7 conflicts with R6C7 through the same column (column 7); with R6C8 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8). R7C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8).

View 9 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R5C7 conflicts with R6C7 through the same column (column 7); with R6C8 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8). R7C8 conflicts with R6C7 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R6C8 through the same column (column 8).

Therefore: mark R5C7, R5C8, R7C8 ×. Every possible Queen in row 6 rules out these cells.

Board after step 8 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR6C7, R6C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
3 cellsR5C7, R5C8, R7C8
Step 9 · Locked candidates

Observe: region 8 has 2 remaining candidates: R8C7, R8C8. All lie in row 8.

Rule: region 8 needs one Queen, so it will occupy row 8. row 8 can contain no second Queen outside region 8.

Therefore: mark R8C3, R8C4 ×.

Board after step 9 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR8C7, R8C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
2 cellsR8C3, R8C4
Step 10 · Common exclusions

Observe: column 1 must contain one Queen, chosen from R1C1, R3C1, R4C1, R5C1.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C2 conflicts with R1C1 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R3C1, R4C1, R5C1 through the same region (region 4).

Therefore: mark R2C2 ×. Every possible Queen in column 1 rules out these cells.

Board after step 10 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR1C1, R3C1, R4C1, R5C1
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR2C2
Step 11 · Common exclusions

Observe: column 6 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C6, R3C6, R4C6, R5C6.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R4C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6 through the same region (region 3); with R4C6 through the same row (row 4); with R5C6 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C3 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C4 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5).

View 20 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R4C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6 through the same region (region 3); with R4C6 through the same row (row 4); with R5C6 through diagonally adjacent cells. R5C3 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C4 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5). R5C5 conflicts with R2C6, R3C6, R4C6 through the same region (region 3); with R5C6 through the same row (row 5).

Therefore: mark R4C5, R5C3, R5C4, R5C5 ×. Every possible Queen in column 6 rules out these cells.

Board after step 11 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR2C6, R3C6, R4C6, R5C6
 Changed this step (square marker):
4 cellsR4C5, R5C3, R5C4, R5C5
Step 12 · Common exclusions

Observe: column 3 must contain one Queen, chosen from R1C3, R2C3, R3C3, R4C3.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R2C4 conflicts with R1C3 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R2C3 through the same row (row 2); with R3C3, R4C3 through the same region (region 2).

Therefore: mark R2C4 ×. Every possible Queen in column 3 rules out these cells.

Board after step 12 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR1C3, R2C3, R3C3, R4C3
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR2C4
Step 13 · Reserved groups

Observe: row 6 and row 8 have remaining candidates R6C7, R6C8, R8C7, R8C8, all within column 7 and column 8.

Rule: these 2 groups need distinct Queens, filling all 2 target groups.

Therefore: mark R2C7, R2C8, R3C7, R3C8, R4C7, R4C8 ×. These cells lie outside the groups that reserve those Queens.

Board after step 13 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
4 cellsR6C7, R6C8, R8C7, R8C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
6 cellsR2C7, R2C8, R3C7, R3C8, R4C7, R4C8
Step 14 · Only candidate

Observe: region 5 has only one remaining candidate: R5C6.

Rule: every region needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R5C6. The 6 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 14 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR5C6
 Changed this step (square marker):
7 cellsR2C6, R3C6, R4C6, R5C1, R5C2, R5C6, R6C7
Step 15 · Only candidate

Observe: row 6 has only one remaining candidate: R6C8.

Rule: every row needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R6C8. The 1 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 15 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR6C8
 Changed this step (square marker):
2 cellsR6C8, R8C8
Step 16 · Only candidate

Observe: row 8 has only one remaining candidate: R8C7.

Rule: every row needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R8C7. The 0 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 16 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR8C7
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR8C7
Step 17 · Common exclusions

Observe: row 2 must contain one Queen, chosen from R2C3, R2C5.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R1C4 conflicts with R2C3, R2C5 through diagonally adjacent cells. R3C3 conflicts with R2C3 through the same column (column 3); with R2C5 through the same region (region 2). R3C4 conflicts with R2C3 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R2C5 through the same region (region 2). R4C3 conflicts with R2C3 through the same column (column 3); with R2C5 through the same region (region 2).

View 12 coordinate references

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R1C4 conflicts with R2C3, R2C5 through diagonally adjacent cells. R3C3 conflicts with R2C3 through the same column (column 3); with R2C5 through the same region (region 2). R3C4 conflicts with R2C3 through diagonally adjacent cells; with R2C5 through the same region (region 2). R4C3 conflicts with R2C3 through the same column (column 3); with R2C5 through the same region (region 2).

Therefore: mark R1C4, R3C3, R3C4, R4C3 ×. Every possible Queen in row 2 rules out these cells.

Board after step 17 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR2C3, R2C5
 Changed this step (square marker):
4 cellsR1C4, R3C3, R3C4, R4C3
Step 18 · Common exclusions

Observe: column 3 must contain one Queen, chosen from R1C3, R2C3.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R1C2 conflicts with R1C3 through the same row (row 1); with R2C3 through diagonally adjacent cells.

Therefore: mark R1C2 ×. Every possible Queen in column 3 rules out these cells.

Board after step 18 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR1C3, R2C3
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR1C2
Step 19 · Common exclusions

Observe: column 2 must contain one Queen, chosen from R3C2, R4C2.

Rule: Queens cannot share a row, column or region, or touch diagonally. R3C1 conflicts with R3C2 through the same row (row 3); with R4C2 through diagonally adjacent cells. R4C1 conflicts with R3C2 through the same region (region 4); with R4C2 through the same row (row 4).

Therefore: mark R3C1, R4C1 ×. Every possible Queen in column 2 rules out these cells.

Board after step 19 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
2 cellsR3C2, R4C2
 Changed this step (square marker):
2 cellsR3C1, R4C1
Step 20 · Only candidate

Observe: column 1 has only one remaining candidate: R1C1.

Rule: every column needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R1C1. The 1 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 20 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR1C1
 Changed this step (square marker):
2 cellsR1C1, R1C3
Step 21 · Only candidate

Observe: column 3 has only one remaining candidate: R2C3.

Rule: every column needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R2C3. The 2 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 21 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR2C3
 Changed this step (square marker):
3 cellsR2C3, R2C5, R3C2
Step 22 · Only candidate

Observe: row 3 has only one remaining candidate: R3C5.

Rule: every row needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R3C5. The 2 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 22 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR3C5
 Changed this step (square marker):
3 cellsR3C5, R4C4, R7C5
Step 23 · Only candidate

Observe: row 4 has only one remaining candidate: R4C2.

Rule: every row needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R4C2. The 0 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 23 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Dots are candidates, × marks excluded cells. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR4C2
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR4C2
Step 24 · Only candidate

Observe: row 7 has only one remaining candidate: R7C4.

Rule: every row needs exactly one Queen.

Therefore: place a Queen at R7C4. The 0 cells marked × conflict with it by row, column, region or diagonal adjacency.

Board after step 24 · Small cell numbers identify regions. Rows run from top to bottom; columns from left to right. Queens show the complete solution. Reasoning basis (round marker):
1 cellsR7C4
 Changed this step (square marker):
1 cellsR7C4

A tempting mistake

A Queen at R1C2 looks possible before deductions. All 6 terminal branches run out of candidates in region 7, row 4, row 7, region 5. Rule out this tempting assumption.

Check every branch

  1. Try R7C8.

    1. Try R8C5.

      Region 7 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

    2. Try R8C6.

      Region 7 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

  2. Try R8C7.

    The only candidate in region 6 forces R6C8.

    The only candidate in region 5 forces R5C6.

    1. Try R2C4.

      The only candidate in row 3 forces R3C1.

      Row 4 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

    2. Try R2C5.

      The only candidate in row 3 forces R3C1.

      The only candidate in row 4 forces R4C4.

      Row 7 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

  3. Try R8C8.

    1. Try R6C7.

      Region 5 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

    2. Try R7C6.

      Region 7 has no possible Queen: contradiction.

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