Mon Dec 16 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## NYT’s Cryptic Strands Puzzle Stumps Players
**New York, NY** – The New York Times’ new word puzzle game, Strands, is proving to be a formidable challenge for players. Described by one solver as “borderline not using actual words,” the game, currently in beta, presents players with a six-by-eight grid of letters and tasks them with finding themed words linked by a “spangram”—a word spanning the board horizontally or vertically.
Unlike traditional word searches, Strands requires players to identify a common theme among the words, using both horizontal, vertical, and diagonal connections, even switching directions mid-word. The spangram, which can be a proper noun, reveals the theme, while all letters in the grid are used once across both the themed words and the spangram. Players must also find three additional valid words (four letters or more) unrelated to the theme to unlock a hint.
The difficulty varies, sometimes requiring players to complete phrases or identify synonyms or homophones. One player reported struggling with unusual words like “zorse” and “athleisure.” The game’s creators aim to continually surprise and challenge players with varying levels of difficulty. The game’s success hinges on consistent daily player engagement during its beta period.
First Piper 