The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for October 20th (#596) presented a challenge for many players. The theme revolves around elements of traditional mail and postage. If you’re seeking assistance, here’s a breakdown of the solutions and hints.
Understanding the Puzzle
Strands requires identifying words within a grid, where each letter can be part of multiple solutions. The key is to uncover words related to a hidden theme. The puzzle also includes a “spangram” – a theme word that stretches across the entire board, utilizing every letter at least once.
Hints and Clues
The core theme for today’s puzzle is “It’s in the mail.” A specific clue provided was: “Do people even use this form of payment any more?” This refers to checks and the traditional postal system.
Solution Breakdown
To solve Strands, players can begin by identifying any four-letter or longer words to unlock in-game hints. Some useful starting words for this puzzle include:
- CHECK
- CHECKS
- SNARE
- SNARES
- MITE
- SNOG
- MOUNT
- MESS
- DARE
- NUMB
Once three qualifying words are found, the puzzle reveals one of the theme words. The complete solutions for today’s puzzle are:
- MEMO
- AMOUNT
- NUMBER
- ROUTING
- SIGNATURE
- ADDRESS
The spangram, the longest word connecting the entire grid, is not explicitly stated in the article but is essential for completing the puzzle.
Why This Matters
The Strands puzzle, like other NYT games (Wordle, Connections ), has become a daily habit for millions. The difficulty varies, and sometimes hints or solutions are necessary for completion. These puzzles test vocabulary and pattern recognition skills in a fun, accessible format.
