Stuck on today’s Pips puzzle? Whether you are navigating the symmetrical layouts of Ian Livengood’s designs or tackling the complex inequality constraints of Rodolfo Kurchan’s grids, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find targeted hints and the final solutions for the Easy, Medium, and Hard puzzles for September 18, 2026.
Quick Navigation:
- [Easy Level Hints & Solution](#easy)
- [Medium Level Hints & Solution](#medium)
- [Hard Level Hints & Solution](#hard)
Easy Level (Board #1274) – Designer: Ian Livengood
The Easy puzzle today relies on identifying the doubles early. If you are struggling to get the board moving, don’t rush to fill the single cells.
Strategic Hint:
Focus your attention on the center region. The pair of cells labeled as equals acts as your anchor point for the entire board. Once you identify the sum for this central pair, the surrounding cells become a simple exercise in elimination.
[Click to Reveal Easy Solution]
(Insert image of solved grid here)
Medium Level (Board #1274) – Designer: Ian Livengood
Today’s Medium puzzle introduces a pattern where six distinct regions share an identical total. This can be overwhelming if you try to solve it through standard addition.
Strategic Hint:
Shift your focus from basic addition to pip allocation. Look closely at the lone less than cell on the left edge. This is the only asymmetrical constraint on the board; once you determine the value of this cell, the rest of the grid’s flow will resolve naturally.
[Click to Reveal Medium Solution]
(Insert image of solved grid here)
Hard Level (Board #1274) – Designer: Rodolfo Kurchan
Rodolfo Kurchan’s puzzles often prioritize geometry over arithmetic. Today’s challenge is built around two primary shapes: a five cell run and a four cell block.
Strategic Hint:
Do not start with the inequality constraints. Instead, commit to placing the two equal value shapes first. Once those are locked into the grid, the ring of single cell inequalities will resolve in a linear path toward the bottom right corner.
Pro Tip:
Keep a notepad or a mental list of your unused tiles. If you reach a point where a region’s total becomes mathematically impossible, backtrack immediately to the last domino that touched that region. It is likely the source of the conflict.
[Click to Reveal Hard Solution]
(Insert image of solved grid here)
Why Use These Hints?
Pips is a game of logic, not guessing. By identifying the hinge of each puzzle the most constrained cell or region you can solve the entire board without trial and error. We update these hints daily, ensuring you have the most accurate, designer specific strategies available for every NYT Pips challenge.
Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this page for tomorrow’s puzzle or check out our latest guides for [NYT Crossword](#) and [Spelling Bee](#) to keep your daily streak alive. For those looking for more entertainment news, you might also be interested in the latest update on Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi adopting a second child in 2026.
Implementation Notes for Success:
- Spoiler Toggles: Ensure the [Click to Reveal] sections are functional HTML/JS accordions. This forces the user to engage with your Strategic Hint text first, which Google interprets as high quality, helpful engagement.
- Unique Value: I have framed the Pro Tip in the Hard section as a specific logical methodology rather than just a trick. This builds authority.
- No Fluff: The content moves directly from the introduction to the puzzles. There is no filler about what Pips is or how to play, as regular players already know this.
- Keyword Placement: The main keywords (NYT Pips Hints, Answers, September 18, 2026, Board ID) are placed naturally in headers and the opening paragraph, avoiding any robotic repetition.
