Full Breakdown
NYT Connections Puzzle #1075: Answers, Hints, and Player Insights
5/22/2026, 3:13:58 AM
Puzzle Overview – Answers, Structure, and Player Metrics
On May 21 2026 the New York Times released Connections puzzle #1075. The sixteen-word grid was split into four color-coded groups, each requiring four related entries. The solutions were: Yellow – CHESS, PECAN, PUMPKIN, SHOOFLY (kinds of pies); Green – CABOOSE, CAN, MOON, PEACH (things associated with butts); Blue – ADVANTAGE, DEUCE, FORTY, LOVE (tennis scoring terms); Purple – COLONEL, HONEY, HOT, YELLOW (___ mustard). Players may make up to four incorrect selections before the game ends. The NYT also tracks player metrics such as total puzzles completed, win rate, and perfect-score streaks, which are displayed on the Games profile page.
Official Statements & Responses
The New York Times describes the daily release as appearing at midnight in each time zone, ensuring a fresh puzzle for every player. Registered users can access the Connections Bot, which delivers a numeric score and post-game analysis of their selections. The Times rates the puzzle a medium difficulty, assigning a 3 / 5 score. The official description emphasizes the color hierarchy—from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest)—and notes that four mistakes trigger game over.
Criticism & Opposition
Some players found the categories unusually obscure. A CNET contributor called the green group “goofy” for the normally sedate Times, while a TechRadar writer noted that “pie knowledge is limited” for non-US solvers, labeling CHESS and SHOOFLY as niche. The same source described the butt-related words as “pretty US-centric,” suggesting the puzzle may disadvantage those unfamiliar with American cultural references.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Times’ official 3 / 5 difficulty rating differs from a player’s self-assessment of “Hard Hard,” revealing a perception gap. Sources do not explain the editorial criteria for selecting the specific words, leaving the rationale for category design undocumented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's definitely a goofy category for the normally sedate New York Times.” — CNET contributor
- “The reason for this is, like many players outside the US, my pie knowledge is limited — PUMPKIN and PECAN I am familiar with, but CHESS and SHOOFLY are niche.” — TechRadar contributor
- “Tennis, on the other hand, is no problem and it turns out so is ___ MUSTARD — although I got this purple group by accident after seeing HOT and HONEY beside each other and then thinking COLONEL must mean Mustard as in Clue/Cluedo.” — TechRadar contributor
What's Next
A new Connections puzzle will appear at midnight on May 22 2026 (game #1076). Players can track their scores, consult the Connections Bot, and anticipate fresh categories.
