LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for August 20, 2025
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
August 20, 2025
Grandfather
Chess
Alarm
Atomic
Cuckoo
Clue Meanings Explained
Grandfather
This refers to a tall, freestanding pendulum clock, usually encased in wood and standing six to eight feet tall. Itâs the kind of classic furniture piece youâd see in an old study or a hallway, known for its deep, rhythmic ticking and hourly chimes.
Chess
This is a specialized timing device used in board games where two adjacent clocks show the time remaining for each player. When one player moves, they hit a button to stop their timer and start their opponent's, ensuring the game stays within a set time limit.
Alarm
This represents a clock designed specifically to make a loud noiseâlike a buzz, a bell, or musicâat a pre-selected time. Its primary job is to wake people up in the morning or remind them of a specific appointment.
Atomic
This refers to the most accurate timekeeping device in existence. It doesnât use gears or springs but instead measures the vibrations of atoms (usually cesium) to keep time perfectly, often used as the standard for GPS and international time.
Cuckoo
This is a pendulum-regulated wall clock that strikes the hours with a sound resembling a cuckoo bird's call. Usually, a small mechanical bird pops out of a door to "sing" every time the hour changes.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first saw the clue "Grandfather," my mind went in a few different directions. I honestly thought about family members or maybe even the "Grandfather clause" in legal terms. But because this is Pinpoint, I knew the word probably paired with something else to form a common phrase. "Grandfather clock" was my first real hunch, but I didn't want to jump the gun just yet.
Then came "Chess." This is where I almost tripped up. I saw "Grandfather" and "Chess" and immediately thought of the term "Grandmaster." It felt like a perfect fit! I was ready to guess something related to "Titles" or "Chess rankings." However, I took a second to see if "Grandmaster" worked with the other clues I hadn't seen yet, and it felt a bit narrow.
The third clue, "Alarm," was the absolute game-changer. "Grandmaster alarm" makes zero sense, but "Alarm clock" is a staple of daily life. I looked back at the first two clues through this new lens: "Grandfather clock" and "Chess clock." Suddenly, the pattern was staring me right in the face. I was looking for types of clocks.
To be safe, I waited for "Atomic" and "Cuckoo." As soon as "Atomic" appeared, it was a done deal. Atomic clocks are the gold standard for precision, and "Cuckoo" just added that final decorative touch to the set. The progression went from a furniture piece to a game tool, then to a daily utility, a scientific instrument, and finally a novelty item.
By the time the last clue hit the screen, I was 100% confident. Itâs a classic Pinpoint move to start with a word that has multiple meanings to lead you down a different path (like the Grandmaster distraction) before bringing it all home with very specific examples.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Always test your theory against every clue. If I had guessed "Chess Titles" after the second clue, I would have lost my streak. It's vital to see if the category fits the *entire* set, not just the most recent two words.
Look for "invisible" suffixes. In this puzzle, the word "clock" was the invisible link following every single clue. When you're stuck, try adding a common word like "house," "man," "paper," or "clock" to the end of the clues to see if a theme emerges.
Don't let the first clue define your entire strategy. "Grandfather" is so often used for family themes that itâs easy to get tunnel vision. Learning to treat each clue as a potential pivot point is what separates expert players from beginners.
Think across different industries. This puzzle was clever because it pulled from interior design (Grandfather), sports (Chess), household items (Alarm), and high-level physics (Atomic). If you only think in one category, you might miss the connection.
Expert Q&A
Why did the puzzle include "Atomic" when most people don't have one in their house?
Pinpoint often mixes common household items with technical or scientific terms to increase the difficulty. While you might not own a physical atomic clock, your smartphone and GPS rely on them to function, making it a globally recognized type of clock.
Could "Grandmaster" have been a valid answer if the other clues were different?
Absolutely. If the clues had been "Grandfather," "Chess," "Flash," and "Funk," the answer likely would have been "Grandmasters" (referring to the title and the famous DJ). This shows how the context of the later clues completely dictates the final answer.
Is a "Chess clock" actually one clock or two?
Technically, it is a single unit containing two separate clock faces (or digital displays). However, in common parlance and in the context of this puzzle, it is referred to as a "Chess clock."
What is the main difference between a Grandfather clock and a Cuckoo clock besides the bird?
The primary difference is the size and placement. A Grandfather clock is a "longcase" clock that stands on the floor, while a Cuckoo clock is almost always wall-mounted. Both use pendulums, but their aesthetic and cultural origins (English vs. German Black Forest) differ significantly.
Are there any other "types of clocks" that could have appeared as clues?
Yes, the developers had plenty of options. They could have used "Sundial," "Digital," "Quartz," "Water," or