The latest New York Times Strands puzzle (#619) challenges players with a theme centered around… puzzles themselves. This iteration, like many in the series, requires identifying interconnected words within a grid, culminating in a “spangram” – a theme word that spans the entire board.
Unlocking the Theme: “How Puzzling”
The core concept revolves around elements of crossword puzzles. If you’re stuck, the game’s mechanics provide assistance; finding three words of four or more letters triggers a theme hint. Useful starter words for this puzzle include MORE, DOWNS, CANS, CROSS, BLED, SOUL, and MOSS.
Today’s Answers
The non-spangram answers required to complete the puzzle are: DOWN, GRID, ACROSS, CLUES, NUMBERS, BYLINE, and ANSWERS. The spangram – the long, grid-spanning solution – is CROSSWORD. To locate it, begin with the “C” in the fourth row from the top, on the far left, and trace its path across the board.
Difficulty and Notable Puzzles
Recent Strands puzzles have varied in difficulty. Some of the most challenging themes include dated slang (January 21, with “PHAT” as the hardest word) and nautical terminology (January 15, where “BALEEN” or “RIGHT” proved troublesome for many). The puzzles’ difficulty often depends on how niche the theme is, testing players’ broad knowledge rather than linguistic skill.
Strands relies on pattern recognition and persistence. The game’s hints system, combined with strategic word-finding, ensures a solvable experience for all skill levels.
