Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Midnight Puzzle Release: Join NYT Games for Tips!

1/3/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Strands puzzles release at midnight in each time zone, and two Sidekicks are published daily based on Eastern Standard Time.
Puzzle difficulty is rated as moderate today, based on feedback from paid testers.
The New York Times Games team invites players to follow them on Instagram for tips and behind-the-scenes content.
Readers are encouraged to provide feedback and report any technical issues.
Comments are moderated for civility.

History

Historical Context

The New York Times published its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, after publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger recognized the need for engaging content during World War II. Initially dismissed as trivial, the puzzle quickly gained popularity, becoming a daily feature by 1950. Today, the Times continues to innovate with interactive puzzles like Strands, reflecting the evolving landscape of word games.

1 of 2

Story summary

Strands puzzles release at midnight in each time zone, and two Sidekicks are published daily based on Eastern Standard Time.
Puzzle difficulty is rated as moderate today, based on feedback from paid testers.
The New York Times Games team invites players to follow them on Instagram for tips and behind-the-scenes content.
Readers are encouraged to provide feedback and report any technical issues.
Comments are moderated for civility.

1 / 2