NYT Strands Sidekick publishes May 5 puzzle hints at moderate difficulty
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 4
NYT Strands Sidekick publishes May 5 puzzle hints at moderate difficulty
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 4
The guide covers Gameplay Strands Sidekick No. 793 and was published on May 4, 2026, ahead of the puzzle’s release at midnight in each player’s time zone.
It offers spoiler warnings and interactive hints that reveal the first letter or travel direction of up to three theme words to help solvers progress.
The New York Times says it publishes two Sidekicks daily based on Eastern Standard Time to serve global players, while difficulty is based on ratings from paid testers.
As newer puzzle genres boom, can NYT's human-made Strands survive in a declining word game market?
Is the 'human touch' in NYT's puzzles a key advantage or an expensive luxury in an era of AI game creation?
Is using free games to retain news subscribers the most profitable long-term strategy for modern media companies?