The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for November 2, 2023, challenges players to uncover a hidden theme within a grid of letters. The puzzle revolves around endurance and competition, with answers centered on long-distance running.
Theme and Hints
The central theme for today’s puzzle is “Go the distance.” The most direct hint is the numerical reference to 26.2 miles —the standard distance of a marathon. This should immediately point players toward related terms.
Unlocking In-Game Hints
Strands reveals theme words when you identify at least three words with four or more letters. Any valid words will unlock hints. Some useful words for this puzzle include:
– RUNT
– TURN
– STAT
– PACE
– TIME
These words aren’t necessarily part of the final solution but help reveal the theme faster.
Complete Answers
The puzzle’s solutions, all linked to the “Go the distance” theme, are as follows:
- PACE
- START
- FINISH
- RUNNER
- HYDRATION
- TIMEKEEPER
The spangram—the word that stretches across the entire board—is MARATHON. Start at the ‘M’ on the bottom row and follow the path to reveal the full word.
Previous Difficult Puzzles
Recent Strands puzzles have varied in difficulty. Two particularly challenging themes from January 2024 include:
1. Dated slang (Jan. 21): The inclusion of obsolete slang terms like “PHAT” made this one difficult for many players.
2. Thar she blows! (Jan. 15): The nautical theme with words like “BALEEN” and “RIGHT” required specialized knowledge.
The Strands puzzle relies on both vocabulary and pattern recognition, making it a unique daily challenge for word game enthusiasts. The difficulty often stems from obscure themes or niche terminology.
