The New York Times launched Strands game game 869 with hints and solves available for July 20, 2026. Tips for the puzzle arrived through publications like Mashable, Tom's Guide and PC Guide. Today's hints featured the subject, hints and the game's key word. Upcoming scheduled Strands Sidekick shifts to game #870. Solvers can grab the extra hint before tackling the day's full puzzle on mobile. Key connectors remain the wide horizontal answer that crosses two opposite of the board, and game 869's spangram falls in that same usual slot. Strands regulars looking to begin the warm-up hits to get going often clear the smaller board answers before swiping the blue-yellow flagged words. Each outlet also added a small nudge offered only if solvers lose steam after the main clue set has been gone through.