The New York Times (NYT) Strands puzzle for Sunday, January 26, 2025, presented a challenging word puzzle centered around the theme of “Ore so they say,” with a helpful clue of “Heavy metal.” This particular puzzle required players to identify words related to metallic ores within a grid of letters. While some answers were readily apparent, others proved more elusive, demanding a keen eye and a good grasp of metal-related vocabulary.
To assist players in deciphering the puzzle, the article provided hints and strategies for uncovering the hidden words. One effective approach involved identifying any four-letter (or longer) words within the grid, regardless of their connection to the theme. Finding three such words unlocks in-game hints, revealing some of the theme-related answers. In this specific instance, words like RUNT, TINT, RIOT, NOIR, LUKE, BLAM, MULE, UNIT, MAIL, MOLD, COLD, MUTT, MAIN, TOME, and BALE served as stepping stones to unveil the themed words.
The core objective of the Strands puzzle is to identify all the theme-related words, including the crucial “spangram.” The spangram is a key thematic word that stretches across the entire puzzle grid, connecting from one side to the other. In this puzzle, the spangram was identified as PUREMETAL. Its location was revealed, starting with the letter ‘P’ three spaces to the right on the top row and winding down through the grid. Locating the spangram is a pivotal step in completing the puzzle.
The article emphasizes the importance of finding all theme words, not just the spangram. In this instance, the other theme words were IRON, COBALT, NICKEL, CADMIUM, ALUMINUM, and TITANIUM. These metals, alongside the spangram PUREMETAL, constituted the complete set of themed vocabulary for the January 26th puzzle. Successfully identifying all these terms is essential, as the ultimate goal is to utilize every single letter on the board in forming these words. Only then is the puzzle considered fully solved.
For those new to Strands or looking for a deeper understanding of the game mechanics, a link to a separate article detailing the rules of Strands is provided. This resource serves to clarify the intricacies of the puzzle and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the gameplay. Additionally, for players seeking assistance with other NYT daily puzzles like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, a link to CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page is offered. This serves as a central hub for daily puzzle assistance, providing hints and answers across various NYT word games.
Beyond the specifics of the January 26th puzzle, the article provides general strategic advice for Strands. The process of uncovering non-theme words to unlock in-game hints is highlighted as a valuable technique for progressing through more challenging puzzles. This strategy allows players to gradually reveal theme words, even when the overall theme remains elusive. The emphasis on utilizing every letter in the grid further reinforces the systematic nature of the game, encouraging players to approach the puzzle methodically, ensuring every letter contributes to a valid word.
