Starting today, solving Strands comes with something new: a Sidekick. A companion to the daily puzzle, Strands Sidekick is our latest forum and your new go-to place for hints, strategies and a community made up of fellow word lovers. Whether you’re stuck, inspired or just curious, the Sidekick has got your back. One of the first things you’ll notice is the vibrant daily artwork by illustrator Celine Ka Wing Lau. Her visual interpretations are whimsical, bright and perfectly in tune with the spirit of Strands. This art is designed to complement the daily solving experience, without giving away too much. “Creating artwork for Strands is exhilarating,” Ms. Lau said. “It’s challenging, but also a lot of fun. I enjoy bringing a sense of chaos and thinking outside the box, turning the unexpected into the central visual theme.” In the forum, that playfulness continues with an interactive hint feature. Here’s how it works: As you scroll down, you’ll see a grid that mirrors the Strands board. Click once to reveal the location of the first letter of up to three theme words. Click again, and you’ll see an arrow showing the direction the word travels. These hints serve as a helpful nudge in the right direction, but only if you need one. Then there’s the heart of Strands Sidekick: the comments section. Like our other forums, this space is for celebrating the highs and lows of solving together. There, you can share tips and strategies, forge connections with other players or flex your creative muscle with original poetry or stories inspired by the daily word list. Did you weigh multiple interpretations, or was the theme totally obvious from the jump? Did you innocently stumble upon three nontheme words to unlock a hint, or was picking those terms a desperate hunt for answers, by any means necessary? What memories or associations did the theme spark? We’re excited to explore these questions, and much more, with you each day. We invite you to play today’s puzzle and browse through our first Sidekick. Jump into the comments and let us know what you think. Strands editor Tracy Bennett will be there answering questions this morning. We’re excited to build this community with you, and can’t to hear what you think!
Brain Tickler |
