The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for December 15th (#652) challenges players to find themed words hidden within a grid of letters. This installment features a unique twist: the answers are highlighted in color as they’re discovered.
Decoding the Theme
Today’s Strands puzzle centers on color-themed television shows. The primary goal is to identify all the hidden words, including the “spangram”—a theme word that stretches across the entire grid. The puzzle’s mechanic rewards progress: revealing three qualifying words (four letters or more) unlocks hints for the main theme.
Unlocking Clues
If you’re stuck, focus on identifying any four-letter-plus words to trigger the in-game hint system. Some helpful starting words include:
- NULL
- COOL
- ROTE
- DOLE
- SORT
- STAR
Once enough words are found, the puzzle will reveal letters within the theme.
The Answers
The solution set for today’s Strands consists of the following television show titles:
- BLUE BLOODS
- GREEN ACRES
- GOLDEN GIRLS
- WHITE LOTUS
The spangram, connecting all these shows, is COLORTV, spanning horizontally across the grid.
Strategic Tips for Success
To maximize your efficiency, consider these techniques:
- Word Modification: Experiment with adding suffixes (“S,” “ED,” etc.) to existing words to uncover new possibilities.
- Thematic Association: Once one theme word is found, scan the grid for related terms.
- Forced Hints: If stumped, reveal three additional clue words to illuminate the theme word letter by letter.
Strands is designed to be a logical deduction puzzle with a light learning curve. These strategies can help players navigate the challenges and enjoy the satisfaction of cracking the code.
