On a snowy Monday, January 6, 2025, many New York Times readers found themselves cozying up with the daily puzzle, Strands. The game is a unique twist on the traditional word search. Today’s theme was “In Neutral,” and the hints provided were just enough to get solvers started.
Official Hint and Additional Clue
The official hint from the New York Times for today’s Strands is “In Neutral.” Paul Tassi, a writer for Forbes, provided an additional hint: “Not Cars.” These clues are designed to point players in the right direction without giving away too much.
How to Play Strands
Strands is a puzzle game where players are given a 6×8 grid of letters. The goal is to find words that share a common theme. Each day, the game presents a new challenge. When you find a theme word, it will be highlighted in blue. There is also a special word called a spangram, which links two opposite sides of the board. The spangram will be highlighted in yellow when found.
The themes can vary widely. They might be fill-in-the-blank phrases, steps in a process, items in the same category, or synonyms. The New York Times aims to keep the game interesting by varying the difficulty throughout the week.
Today’s Answers
The spangram for today is “OFFWHITES.” Here are the theme words:
- CHAMPAGNE
- LINEN
- VANILLA
- CREAM
- IVORY
- EGGSHELL
These words are all shades of white or very light colors. If you are familiar with interior design or painting, this theme might have been easy to guess. Even if you are not, the words are mostly common and recognizable.
Background on Strands
Strands is a relatively new addition to the New York Times puzzle lineup. It is currently in beta, which means its future depends on player engagement. The game is edited by Tracy Bennett, who is also the editor of Wordle, another popular word game. Bennett plans to keep the difficulty varied to keep players on their toes.
Personal Experience
Paul Tassi, who wrote about today’s Strands in Forbes, admitted that he found the puzzle challenging. “I really did not know most of these offhand and really just had to solve them being actual words,” he said. “Champagne White? Is that really a thing? Eggshell I knew, but yeah this was not all that easy.”
Tips for Solving Strands
If you are new to Strands or find it challenging, here are a few tips:
- Start with the Hints: Use the official hint and any additional clues to narrow down the theme.
- Look for Common Words: Sometimes, the theme words are everyday words that you might not think of as having a common link.
- Check the Spangram: The spangram can often provide a key clue to the theme.
- Use Process of Elimination: If you are stuck, try to eliminate letters or words that do not fit the theme.
- Practice Regularly: The more you play, the better you will get at recognizing themes and solving the puzzles.
Strands is a fun and engaging way to challenge your mind on a daily basis. Whether you are a seasoned puzzle solver or a beginner, there is something for everyone in this game. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle into a comfortable chair, and see if you can solve today’s Strands puzzle.
