Strands, a word puzzle game, challenges players to find hidden words within a grid of letters, with a specific theme connecting the answers. The objective is to uncover all theme-related words, including a crucial “spangram” that spans the entire puzzle grid. Finding three or more four-letter words unlocks hints related to the theme words, aiding players in their search. The overall goal is to utilize every letter on the board in forming the final solution.
The particular puzzle discussed here revolves around the theme “Board certified,” with a more specific clue of “Sawdust time,” hinting at woodworking tools. The author recounts their personal experience with the puzzle, admitting to occasional difficulty even after receiving letter hints, despite having a background in woodworking. They then provide a walkthrough of their solving process.
To solve the puzzle, the author identifies several four-letter words, including “NOEL,” “SONE,” “SIRE,” “DEWS,” “WEED,” and others. These discoveries unlock hints within the game, revealing the theme words related to woodworking tools. These words are “VISE,” “DRILL,” “LATHE,” “PLANE,” “CHISEL,” “JIGSAW,” and “SANDER.”
The final piece of the puzzle is the spangram, “WOODWORKING,” which, as the name suggests, spans the entire grid. The author provides directions to locate it, starting with a specific “W” and tracing the word through the grid. Finding this spangram completes the puzzle, as every letter on the board is then used.
Besides the Strands puzzle, the article also mentions other New York Times puzzles, including Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, directing readers to the CNET website for hints and solutions to these daily challenges. It highlights the author’s approach to solving Strands and provides a resource for those seeking assistance with other popular word puzzles.
The article serves as a guide for Strands players, offering hints, solutions, and a personal account of the solving experience. It emphasizes the importance of identifying shorter words to unlock clues and highlights the satisfaction of finding the all-encompassing spangram, the key to completing the Strands puzzle. The piece also briefly touches on related word puzzles, providing further resources for puzzle enthusiasts.
