The article gives hints for the October 3, 2026, New York Times Strands puzzle, game number 944.

Players connect letters on an eight-by-six grid to find words that fit the day’s theme.

Every letter must be used once, and correct theme words turn blue.

The spangram states the theme and must touch opposite sides of the grid.

It can run left to right or top to bottom, and it highlights in yellow.

Three non-theme words of at least four letters fill a hint meter and reveal one theme word’s letters.

The piece says Saturday boards, including this one, are harder than weekday puzzles.

Suggested steps include finding pairs such as TH or ING, checking the edges, and locating the spangram early.

Paths may bend, including diagonally, unlike a straight word search.

Read the full article for Strands hints for puzzle 944.