Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle (#590) proved particularly challenging, employing a theme that requires players to connect words to either of two parts of a common phrase. The difficulty lies in the dual association; some answers relate to one word in the theme, while others relate to the other.
The Theme: The overarching concept for today’s puzzle is “This & That “. More specifically, answers link to either musical style or the concept of rolling.
Decoding the Puzzle: Hints & Clues
The Strands game mechanic relies on finding hidden words that fit the theme. To unlock in-game hints, identify any words with four or more letters. Finding three such words reveals one of the theme words. Some effective starting words include:
- TONE
- DARE
- BELT
- NOTE
These words, or any similar length, will prompt the puzzle to reveal a thematic clue.
The Answers: Unveiled
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- STONE, PEBBLE, BOULDER (linked to “rock”)
- JELLY, CRESCENT, DINNER (linked to “roll”)
The spangram (a theme word stretching across the grid) is ROCKANDROLL. It begins with the “R” in the fifth row, first column, and traces a path across the board.
Quick Strands Strategy
Players can improve their Strands solving speed with a few core techniques:
- Word Variation: Adjust existing words by adding letters (like “S”) to reveal new possibilities. For example, if you find “WILL”, explore “SILL” or “BILL”.
- Theme Association: Once you discover one theme word, scan the puzzle for other related terms.
- Forced Hints: If stuck, reveal three additional clue words to illuminate the letters of the hidden theme word, making it easier to decipher.
The puzzle’s design ensures that once all words are found, every letter on the board will be utilized, confirming completion.
