NYT Strands #985 and #986: Superstition and Preschool Themes

Key points

• Puzzle #985 (Nov 13) theme was 'Not a good sign,' with words like 'Broken Mirror' and 'Spilled Salt.'
• The spangram for #985 was 'Rotten Luck,' a horizontal 10-letter phrase spanning the grid.
• Puzzle #986 (Nov 14) theme was 'Preschool fun,' featuring words like 'Jump,' 'Skip,' and 'Tiptoe.'
• The spangram for #986 was 'Follow the Leader,' starting with 'F' and ending with 'R.'
• Strands requires finding all theme words and the spangram to complete the 6x8 grid.

Background

Strands, launched by The New York Times in 2024, is a daily word search puzzle that follows the success of Wordle and Connections. Unlike traditional word searches, Strands allows words to change direction and requires every letter in the grid to be used. The game includes a 'spangram,' a special word or phrase that summarizes the theme and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically. Recent puzzles have covered themes ranging from arcade games to paranormal topics, with varying difficulty levels.

How outlets are covering it

Mashable and PC Guide both provided detailed hints and answers for Puzzle #985, confirming the superstition theme and the spangram 'Rotten Luck.' PC Guide noted the puzzle was rated 'challenging' by the NYT. CNET covered Puzzle #986, highlighting the 'Preschool fun' theme and the spangram 'Follow the Leader.' All sources agreed on the mechanics of Strands, including the use of non-theme words to unlock hints. No significant disagreements were noted among the outlets regarding the answers or themes.

Why it matters

Strands continues to be a popular daily puzzle for word game enthusiasts, offering a more complex challenge than Wordle. The game's unique mechanics, such as the spangram and direction-changing words, provide a fresh twist on the classic word search format. Daily coverage by multiple outlets ensures that players have access to hints and solutions, enhancing the accessibility of the game for those who may struggle with the puzzle.

What to watch

Players can expect new Strands puzzles to be released daily at midnight in their local time zone. Future puzzles will likely continue to feature diverse themes and varying difficulty levels, maintaining the game's popularity among word game fans. Outlets will continue to provide hints and answers for each new puzzle, helping players solve the grids efficiently.