If you’re perusing this, you’re in search of help with Strands, the New York Times’ sophisticated word-search game.

Strands presents players with a distinct twist on the traditional word search. Words can be constructed from adjoining letters in any direction, including diagonally, and can shift direction, forming unconventional shapes. Every letter within the grid contributes to an answer. There’s consistently a theme linking each solution, along with the “spangram,” a unique word or phrase that encapsulates the day’s theme and spans the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing an unclear hint and omitting the word list, Strands fashions a cerebral game that requires more time to complete than other games such as Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself hindered or lack 10 or more minutes to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints necessary for you to advance at your desired pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Discover an opening

The words pertain to spaces.

Today’s NYT Strands theme simply illustrated

These words depict openings.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today’s spangram is Mind The Gap.

NYT Strands word list for September 22

– Alcove
– Nook
– Mind The Gap
– Cranny
– Crevice
– Niche
– Pigeonhole

In search of other daily online games? Mashable’s Games page offers more hints, and if you’re on the lookout for additional puzzles, Mashable’s got games available now!

Explore our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more.

Not the day you’re looking for? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Strands.