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Either today’s NYT Strands game is the toughest for weeks or I was off form today.

I suspect it’s a little of column A, a little of column B.

NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background

Today’s NYT Strands theme is…That’s life!

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

Where to start here then?

Wordle: The Rules, Strategy…

Well, I guess I can begin with how tough it is answer: very.

The problem, for me at least, was that the theme was so vague.

I was also totally thrown by the spangram.

Prime

On reflection, this is my mistake.

The rules state that “The spangram describes the puzzles theme andtouches two opposite sides of the board.

It may be two words.”

Wordle Words: A genius word…

Note that it doesn’t say itonlytouches two opposite sides.

So today’s does satisfy that requirement.

My solving strategy here was therefore one of brute force.

Wordle Game Boards: 120 pages…

Maybe that’s because the NYT’s milestones are not necessarily what mine would be.

Anyway, I got there in the end.

Let’s hope tomorrow’s is a little easier, yes?

NYT Strands answers to game #49 on a blue background

How did you do today?Send me an emailand let me know.

Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections.

It’s currently in Beta and can be played on theNYT Games siteon desktop or mobile.