The art of noticing
How to play Chainle: rules & tips
Learn how to play Chainle, spot a connecting word, and use your six guesses carefully in this independent original edition.
Reviewed · Rules apply to this site
Chainle rules in one minute
- Read four clues. Each connects to the same missing word.
- Enter one word using letters A–Z. Capitalization does not matter.
- Find the intended link in six guesses or fewer. Repeating a previous guess does not use another attempt.
- Use up to two hints. Each costs 20 points. Hint one gives a semantic nudge; hint two adds the first letter and length.
- Finish to see the answer and all four connections. Revealing early ends the round at zero points.
The word can come before or after a clue, and a connection may be a compound or a two-word phrase. There is no speed bonus and no time limit.
A complete example
Clues: Camp · Engine · Fly · Place
Connection: FIRE
Why it works: campfire, fire engine, firefly, fireplace. The missing word follows “camp” and comes before the other three clues.
Guessing “water” might seem plausible for an engine or a place, but it does not make a familiar phrase with every clue. A strong candidate fits the whole set without needing a long explanation.
Five Chainle tips for a better solve
1. Start with the most specific clue
A clue with only a few familiar pairings is more useful than a broad clue such as “light.” List a few candidates for the specific clue first, then test them against the rest.
2. Move the word to both sides
Do not assume all four connections have the same order. Read each pair aloud. A candidate can create a compound on one clue and a separate phrase on the next.
3. Prefer everyday language
The authored bank uses familiar English compounds and phrases. Start with common usage before reaching for an obscure definition. “Fire engine” is a better fit than an elaborate story about an engine.
4. Use a contradiction to narrow the field
When a word fits three clues, inspect the fourth. That mismatch often exposes the meaning you have assumed. Re-read the difficult clue as a different part of speech.
5. Treat hints as learning tools
A hint reduces the score but can reveal a pattern to remember next time. There is no speed penalty, so pause before using one if you are still enjoying the search.
Daily mode versus practice
| Feature | Daily | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzle selection | UTC calendar date | Next practice round |
| Attempts | Six | Six |
| Hints | Up to two | Up to two |
| Daily streak | Counts a solve | Does not count |
| Score history | Saved locally | Saved locally |
There are 32 original puzzles in the bank. Daily selections repeat on a 32-day cycle. Practice draws from the same bank, so a puzzle you have practiced may also appear in a daily round. Scores are a personal record, rather than a verified competition.
Understand the score
A solve begins with 100 possible points. Subtract 15 for each wrong guess and 20 for each hint, with a minimum of zero. For example, solving on guess three after using one hint earns 100 − 30 − 20 = 50 points. An unsolved or revealed round earns zero regardless of guesses used.
Daily streaks count consecutive UTC dates with a solve. Yesterday’s streak remains visible while today’s round is unfinished. If an entire UTC day passes without a solve, the current streak resets.
What to do after finishing
Read the explanations, copy your spoiler-free result, or open your local score history. For a walkthrough of a particular selection, use the Chainle answers page.
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