Tag: anagram

Typeshift Introduction/History

Typeshift is a daily online word puzzle that blends anagram solving with vertical column shifting to create horizontal words. Originally released in 2017 by Zach Gage and later integrated into the Puzzmo platform, the game has become popular for its satisfying mechanics where players slide letter columns up and down to spell words.

Unlike many word games that ask you to guess or rearrange letters within a single word, Typeshift challenges you to use all available letters vertically and horizontally, turning every letter “solid” by incorporating it into at least one valid word.

Rules of Typeshift

Typeshift presents a set of vertical columns of letters that you can slide up or down to form valid words. Key mechanics include:

• Slide Columns: Move each column of letters up or down so that horizontal words form in the highlighted row.
• Turn Letters Solid: When a word you form uses a letter, that letter becomes “solid” (often shown by a visual change in the game). Your goal is to turn every letter solid by finding valid words that include each letter at least once.
• Core vs Additional Words: Some puzzles provide core words that guarantee a solution, but you’re free to find any valid words — even uncommon ones — to make progress.
• Scoring: You earn points for each solid letter. Points for solid letters decrease over time, so finding words earlier rather than later usually yields a higher score.
• Keyboard Controls: You can play with your keyboard by typing; arrows or typing will move selections and help you construct words quickly.

The puzzle is complete once all letters have been turned solid at least once during play.

Typeshift Strategy

Turn Solid Letters Early

Start by forming words that include as many different letters as possible. Turning letters solid early boosts your score and reveals more options.

Use Core Words Wisely

Core words are usually common words that are guaranteed to exist in the puzzle. Finding these early can make solving the rest easier.

Slide Efficiently

Since all words are formed by sliding entire columns, plan moves to bring multiple potential letters into alignment at once.

Try Unusual Words

If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to try less common words — Typeshift allows any valid words, and these can help you turn stubborn letters solid.

Typeshift Website

Reunion Introduction

Merriam-Webster’s Reunion is a free online word puzzle hosted on the Merriam-Webster website. Unlike classic word-search or crossword games, Reunion challenges players to rearrange letter tiles on a grid to form valid words in both rows and columns, earning stars by solving with as few moves as possible. While it doesn’t have a long historical lineage like Scrabble or Boggle, it fits into the modern family of daily word-puzzle games that test vocabulary and spatial reasoning. 

Rules of Reunion

Reunion presents a grid filled with scrambled letter tiles and two special animal tiles (a fox and a hedgehog). Your goal is to drag and reposition tiles so that every row and column forms valid words and every letter tile ends up in its correct spot, at which point the tile turns green. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Form Words: Create complete, continuous valid words in horizontal and vertical lines. 
• Tile Colors: Green means the letter is in the correct location; white and yellow indicate a tile still needs adjustment to fit somewhere in that row or column. 
• Animals as Markers: The fox and hedgehog split rows or columns — meaning some may contain two separate words. Completing the puzzle eventually reunites them on the board. 
• Scoring: Fewer moves earn higher ratings (up to three stars typically for solving in under ~20 moves). 

Reunion updates daily with a new puzzle, giving players a fresh challenge every day.

Reunion Strategy

Reunion isn’t just about knowing lots of words — it’s about placement and planning:

Start with Certainties

Move the letters you recognize first to spots where they must belong based on current feedback (especially green tiles). This reduces ambiguity early.

Use Color Hints Wisely

Yellow and white feedback gives valuable clues: yellow means the letter does belong in that row/column somewhere, so focus on shifting it toward potential correct spots.

Look for Grid Patterns

Scan for common letter clusters or endings (like -ING or -TER) that might anchor words, then build around those.

Think Two Moves Ahead

Avoid unnecessary back-and-forth on the same tiles — instead, plan sequences of moves that correct multiple problem areas.

Practice Regularly

Because Reunion’s puzzles shift daily, consistent play helps you recognise repeat patterns and common letter groupings faster.

Reunion website