Level 173 solution

Solver-verified route

1. Place Piece 1 at column 7, row 6.
2. Place Piece 2 across column 6 row 1, column 5 row 2, column 6 row 2, column 5 row 3.
3. Place Piece 4 across column 7 row 4, column 6 row 5, column 7 row 5, column 6 row 6.
4. Place Piece 3 across column 5 row 4, column 5 row 5, column 5 row 6.
5. Place Piece 5 across column 7 row 7, column 8 row 7, column 7 row 8, column 8 row 8.

Part of the "Tall order" chapter. The solver certified 120 solving lines with 96% of in-between placements being dead ends, for a difficulty score of 18.7 (grade 4 of 5).