The New York Times launched Strands game #869 with tips and solves available for July 20, 2026. Hints for the puzzle came through publications such as Mashable, Tom's Guide and PC Guide. Daily tips included the topic, clues and the game's key word. Upcoming scheduled Strands Sidekick moves to game 870. Players can grab the extra hint before working on the day's full grid on smartphone. Theme stretches keep coming the builder-friendly answer that touches two walls of the board, and game 869's spangram sits in that same familiar slot. Theme hunters who begin the quick hits out of the gate often unlock the smaller cluster words before mining the theme-hint words. Tom's Guide also added a small match available just when solvers strike out after the opening clue set has been gone through.