The New York Times Strands puzzle for October 24th (#600) challenges players to uncover themed words hidden within a letter grid. If you’re stuck, here’s a breakdown of hints, clues, and the full solution to help you crack today’s challenge.
Understanding the Rules
Strands requires identifying words of four or more letters. Discovering three such words unlocks a theme-related hint, guiding you towards the puzzle’s central concept. The ultimate goal is to find all themed words, including the “spangram” – a word that spans the entire grid, using every letter at least once.
Today’s Theme: Through the Ages
The theme for today’s Strands puzzle is “Through the Ages”. This suggests historical periods, materials, or concepts associated with different eras.
Initial Clues
If you’re struggling, consider words linked to time, progress, or notable historical advancements. The clue “Learn from the past” reinforces this focus.
Starter Words
Here’s a list of words that can help trigger in-game hints:
- TONS
- TONE
- TONES
- SATE
- SEAT
- SEAL
- HATE
- HATES
- HATS
- HIND
- RIND
- RINDS
- HINDS
- MARE
- TORY
Full Solution
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- IRON
- SPACE
- STONE
- BRONZE
- INDUSTRIAL
- INFORMATION
The spangram, which stretches across the grid, is HISTORY. Look for the “H” located five letters down from the top-left corner and trace its path horizontally.
Most Challenging Strands Puzzles
Some past themes have proven particularly difficult for players. Two recent examples include:
- Dated Slang (Jan. 21): The puzzle relied on obscure, outdated slang terms, with “PHAT” being the toughest word to identify.
- Thar She Blows! (Jan. 15): This nautical theme required knowledge of whaling terminology, making words like “BALEEN” and “RIGHT” difficult for non-experts.
Conclusion: The Strands puzzle combines word-finding skills with thematic reasoning. Today’s challenge encourages a historical mindset, with the ultimate solution being the spangram: HISTORY. Solving these puzzles daily sharpens cognitive abilities while providing a fun mental exercise.
