The New York Times introduced the Connections puzzle in 2023, following the success of Wordle. This word game has gained massive popularity among brainteaser enthusiasts worldwide. Players are presented with a grid of 16 words daily and must group them into four sets of four based on common themes or characteristics, color-coded by difficulty level. Players are allowed up to four incorrect guesses before the game ends, and there is no time limit, allowing players to take their time in solving the puzzle.
Editor Wyna Liu suggests a strategy of trying to categorize different groups first before focusing on a set of words, helping players figure out where words truly belong through process of elimination. Each day, hints are provided to help players identify the categories for the words. The Connections puzzle #505 for Monday, October 28, included categories such as Audio Apps, Indicate, Anglican Church, and Magic Words. The answers for these categories included words like Audible, Pandora, Shazam, Tidal, Mean, Signify, Spell, Suggest, Cherish, Have, Hold, Love, Abracadabra, Please, Presto, and Thank You.
Players who solve the Connections puzzle successfully are rewarded with a mix of challenge and enjoyment. Those who were unable to solve it are encouraged to keep trying, as each day presents a new chance to sharpen their skills. The next Connections puzzle will be available from The New York Times on Tuesday, with tips and solutions provided by Newsweek every day. The game has become an online sensation since its release in June 2023, with players sharing their progress and strategies on social media.
Overall, Connections is a challenging and engaging word game that appeals to a wide audience of puzzle lovers. With its daily puzzles and color-coded difficulty levels, players can test their skills and knowledge while having fun. The strategy of categorizing different groups first can help players narrow down their choices and improve their chances of solving the puzzle. Whether players succeed or not, each day offers a new opportunity to tackle the Connections puzzle and enjoy the satisfaction of finding connections between words.
