Study a painting briefly, then restore its nine pieces. Earn Impeccable by placing every piece correctly on the first try. Enjoy the finished artwork and a little of its history. A free daily browser puzzle with Mona Lisa practice.
Erstwhile
Guess the era, then allocate your portfolio.
What is Erstwhile?
Erstwhile is a daily puzzle built around a hidden five-year period between 2005 and 2020. Each day, all players get the same set of four stocks, two other assets, and cash. The goal is to identify the era, then decide how to allocate a portfolio.
How to play Erstwhile
Look at the listed assets and the real headlines, some of which are trimmed to hide dates, to narrow down which five-year window is in play. Once you have a theory, allocate your portfolio among the available options, including cash. Your performance is based on historical market data such as split- and dividend-adjusted year-end closes and December average commodity prices.
Tips & strategy
- Use headline topics as era clues: a specific company, event, or economic condition can help place a puzzle within the 2005–2020 range.
- Remember that stocks, metals, and the S&P 500 benchmark use split- and dividend-adjusted year-end USD closes, while commodities and natural gas use December average world prices.
- Consider the full five-year window, not just a single headline date; the puzzle is built around a period, not a single year.
- Treat cash as a meaningful portfolio option, especially if the asset lineup suggests a turbulent or uncertain market period.
- Because every player gets the same puzzle, focus on the shared clues and historical context rather than personal market predictions.
Frequently asked questions
When is a new puzzle released?
A new Erstwhile puzzle arrives at midnight in your local time zone.
Are the headlines real?
Yes. The site says the headlines are real and come from the named outlets, though some are trimmed to remove or shorten dates.
What data are the assets based on?
Stocks, metals, and the S&P 500 benchmark (SPY) use split- and dividend-adjusted year-end closes in USD from StatMuse. Commodities and US natural gas use December average world prices from the IMF, via FRED.
Does every player get the same puzzle?
Yes, every player gets the same set of four stocks, two other assets, and cash for that day's puzzle.
Is there an app?
The game appears to be browser-based at erstwhile.io; the site does not mention a separate mobile app.
Where to play
Play Erstwhileerstwhile.io · free, new puzzle daily
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