NYT’s Strands Puzzle Challenges Players with Robert Frost Poem

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Times’ Strands puzzle, currently in beta, has captivated players with its latest challenge inspired by Robert Frost’s iconic poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Released on January 29, 2025, the puzzle requires players to uncover theme words and a spangram tied to the poem’s imagery and themes.

Strands, a modern twist on the classic word search, presents players with a six-by-eight grid of letters. The goal is to identify words related to a specific theme, which are highlighted in blue upon discovery. The spangram, a special word that connects opposite sides of the board, is highlighted in yellow and often serves as the key to understanding the puzzle’s overarching theme.

Today’s puzzle, themed around Frost’s 1922 poem, challenges players to find words like “lake,” “deep,” “lovely,” and “dark,” all of which evoke the poem’s serene and introspective tone. The spangram, “frostpoem,” ties the words together, emphasizing the connection to Frost’s work.

“The Strands puzzle is designed to surprise and engage players daily,” said a spokesperson for The New York Times. “Today’s theme is a nod to literary enthusiasts, requiring both word-finding skills and an appreciation for poetry.”

Players can unlock hints by finding three valid words of at least four letters that are not part of the theme. The Hint button then highlights letters from one of the theme words, providing a nudge for those stuck on the puzzle.

The difficulty of Strands varies daily, with some puzzles focusing on synonyms, homophones, or completing phrases. Today’s challenge, rooted in Frost’s poem, adds a layer of literary depth, making it a standout in the series.

For those seeking assistance, the puzzle’s hints and answers were shared alongside the full text of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” allowing players to draw inspiration directly from the poem. “I thought that might be a little more fun than just a pure answer list,” the puzzle creator noted.

Strands remains in beta, with its future dependent on player engagement. If successful, it could become a permanent addition to The New York Times’ lineup of daily puzzles, joining the ranks of Wordle and the Crossword.