How to Play Word Chain

Word Chain turns the normal trace-and-submit loop into a linked sequence: each accepted word sets the starting letter for the next one.

Play Word Chain

The fixed round

A new 5×5 board is yours for 3 minutes.
Words must be at least 3 letters long, use a valid adjacent path, and come from the active Wordrush dictionary.
Each accepted word scores its length squared, and a word cannot be found twice by the same player.

Keep the chain moving

Your first accepted word can start with any letter. After that, the next word must start with the final letter of your previous accepted word. For example, after TRACE, look for a word beginning with E.

The chain state is personal in multiplayer: another player’s accepted word does not change your required letter. If the board has no unused playable word beginning with the required letter, the chain resets and your next word may start with any letter.

A broken path, duplicate, dictionary miss, too-short word, or wrong starting letter is rejected; it does not end the round.

When the round ends

The round ends when the 3-minute timer reaches zero. In solo play you can choose End Round early; in multiplayer, the host can end the shared round early.