The New York Times recently introduced a new puzzle game called Pips, which challenges players to use domino pieces to fill a colorful grid while meeting various conditions tied to the values on the tiles. Each puzzle features multi-colored sections representing different constraints, such as equal or unequal pip counts, comparisons like greater than or less than, and fixed numerical values. Players must rotate and place every domino to complete the grid satisfying all these rules. The game offers three difficulty tiers: Easy, Medium, and Hard.

For the September 4, 2026 edition, Erik Kain provides a detailed guide and solutions to all three levels of Pips on Forbes. The Easy and Medium puzzles are solved with straightforward placements, while the Hard puzzle is shaped like a kangaroo and requires a methodical approach beginning from the tail and feet. The walkthrough highlights key strategies, such as predicting which groups of tiles match certain pip values and careful domino positioning to satisfy numeric conditions within the complex grid.

Kain’s walkthrough for the Hard puzzle emphasizes iterative reasoning, starting by placing specific dominoes in certain colored numbered zones, like Dark Blue 11 or Pink 4, and continuing with placements that satisfy equality conditions among groups. The final steps involve filling the remaining tiles, including a free tile at the kangaroo’s nose, ensuring all dominoes are used without violating the puzzle’s constraints. The solution completes a colorful kangaroo made of domino tiles arranged according to the rules.

The Pips game is part of the NYT Games’ expansion that includes new bonus puzzles accessible to both subscribers and some free users. For those interested, Kain’s full explanation and daily answers help players navigate the unique gameplay mechanics and improve their puzzle-solving skills. His guides can be followed on social media for ongoing puzzle updates and broader entertainment coverage.