The New York Times Connections game never lets up. Today’s puzzle, June 28 edition #1113, is a proper test. Most players stumble on the final purple category. It looks simple at first glance. Then the traps reveal themselves.
If you are stuck on June 28 Connections hints, stick with this. The groups below cover every category, from the straightforward yellow set to the tricky purple board games and beyond.
The Times offers a bot that analyzes your gameplay after each session. You get a score, win rates, and streak data.
Quick Overview: June 28 Connections Puzzle Breakdown
Here is what you are up against. The categories are ranked by difficulty.
- Yellow : Things that are good quality.
- Green : Words that mean “go ahead.”
- Blue : Gear used by guitarists.
- Purple : Things that involve boards.
The Yellow Category: Quality Matters
This is the easy one. The theme revolves around synonyms for high standards or superior condition. You will spot these immediately.
The words are choice, fine, prime, and select.
No tricks here. Just descriptive adjectives. Pick them out before looking for red herrings.
The Green Category: Giving the Order
Now the clock starts. These are signals to begin something. They command action.
Your four words are begin, go, now, and start.
Some players might overthink “now.” It feels vague. It isn’t. In context, it acts as a command. Just like the others.
The Blue Category: For the Musicians
Musical instruments often share accessory types. This group targets guitarists specifically. If you have never held a Fender or Gibson, these terms might confuse you.
Look for capo, pick, slide, and strap.
All four attach to or accompany the instrument. The capo clamps onto the fretboard. The slide fits over the finger. The pick rests in the case. The strap goes around the shoulder.
The Purple Category: Boards in Unexpected Places
This is where most people lose streaks. The theme is “They have boards.” But not all boards are wood planks or gaming tables.
The answers are chess, corporation, darts, and surfer.
Why corporation? The Board of Directors. Why darts? The dartboard. Why surfer? The surfboard. Why chess? The chessboard.
You need lateral thinking here. The word “board” acts as the anchor, but it shifts meaning between governance, gaming, and sports equipment.
“Think planks.” That hint helps if you ignore corporate structures. But it fails if you ignore the surfers.
How to Improve at NYT Connections
Playing is only half the battle. Analysis makes you better. Use the Connections bot mentioned earlier. Track your mistakes.
Compare your score to previous hard puzzles. For instance, Puzzle #5 included “things you can set” like mood, record, and volleyball. That was deceptively simple. Today’s purple category plays a similar trick. It mixes tangible objects with abstract concepts.
Review the archives if you want to see patterns. The “power ___” puzzles (#2) or the “one in a dozen” sets (#4) train you to recognize partial matches.
Do not guess wildly. Eliminate what you know. Cross off the guitar gear. Isolate the quality adjectives. Leave the confusing board-related terms for last.
The next puzzle drops soon. Will you solve the board riddle? Maybe. Or maybe you will just keep scrolling.
