Games

Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen go splitsies.Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesWEDNESDAY PUZZLE — As I’ve mentioned several times throughout my Wordplay tenure, geography isn’t my strong suit. I can’t name states based on their shapes; I have trouble locating European countries. Give me a trivia question about an archipelago, and I will give you the wrong answer.Today’s crossword by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen played to that weakness (which may very well be your strength), and it was only by staring at the completed grid for a few minutes that I finally understood what I was looking at. One day, I will encounter a puzzle themed around my store of knowledge: pop and rap hits from the 2000s, the “Columbo” detective series and styles of pants.Today’s ThemeAt 18-Down, the constructors have inserted a [Natural dividing line on a U.S. map, as suggested by this puzzle’s circled letters]. Those letter clusters didn’t strike me as individually significant — but as a set, I realized, they represented state abbreviations: IA for Iowa, MO for Missouri, TN for Tennessee and so on.The dividing line between these states is the MISSISSIPPI River (18D). To the left are Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. To the right are Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee and Mississippi itself (the river sits on its westernmost side). The states’ locations are also represented in relation to one another by their placements on the grid. It’s not just that they appear to the right or left of 18D — they also appear in locations representative of the U.S. map. (Visual accuracy may be table stakes in constructing geography-based crosswords, but it never fails to impress me.)Tricky Clues4A. Abbreviated clues solve to abbreviated entries. That’s one of many “must match” rules in crossword puzzles. [Co. badges, e.g.] shortens the word “company,” so the answer is a shortened description of company badges: IDS.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Zachary David Levy dials it up.Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesTUESDAY PUZZLE — A few years ago, The New York Times reported on teens who had started a “Luddite Club” in the hopes of wresting their generation from the clutches of smartphones. Now in college, the group is holding strong. And the more I struggle with my own tech devices, the more I envy their lifestyle.Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help but feel that today’s crossword, constructed by Zachary David Levy, was a Luddite manifesto. The theme centers on a positive aspect of personal tech, but solving it reminded me only of the countless times my devices have failed me. Once you’ve completed the puzzle, share your reactions in the comments: Where do you stand on digital dependency?Today’s ThemeAltogether, the ends of 18-, 24-, 48- and 57-Across yield an interpretation of the revealer phrase at 38-Across, which is clued as [“You predicted that correctly”]. Here’s a review of what we’re seeing: [Places where nonprofessionals sing] are KARAOKE BARS (18A). [Netflix or Hulu] is a STREAMING SERVICE (24A). An [Occasion for toasts] is a WEDDING RECEPTION (48A). And if you’re [Nodding yes while saying no, e.g.], then you’re giving a MIXED SIGNAL (57A).If you have bars, service, reception and a signal, you’re quite likely to have a GOOD CALL (38A). One could argue that these terms are synonyms, but I’m inclined to drop it — the argument, that is, not the call.Tricky Clues30A. You don’t need a degree in astronomy to solve a crossword puzzle, but celestial terms are popular entries, so you may want to familiarize yourself with those that show up again and again. The name of this [Altar constellation] has appeared over 200 times in Times puzzles: ARA, meaning “altar” in Latin.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Adrian Johnson opens our solving weekend.Jump to: Tricky CluesFRIDAY PUZZLE — This is Adrian Johnson’s 12th crossword in The New York Times, and he seems to enjoy hanging out at the end of the week. Eight of Mr. Johnson’s puzzles were published on Fridays or Saturdays and, if you are just joining us, the crosswords on those days run without themes.There are pros and cons to constructing themeless crosswords. Pros include having more open space in which to place those lengthy, wonderful entries (as long as you can keep your black square count down) and not needing to come up with and polish a theme. The primary con is that it’s tough to get a themeless puzzle published these days. Only two are published each week, and the bar is extremely high. The result is that you may have a long wait before your puzzle sees the light of day.Fortunately for us, Mr. Johnson’s puzzle cleared the bar. His long entries and quadruple stacks in the northeast and southwest are lively, and there’s a decent amount of wordplay in the clues.Tricky Clues4A. Very slick, Mr. Johnson, but you can’t fool us with [Adviser to an acting president?]. The word “acting” refers to a dramatic performance (as in Martin Sheen’s portrayal of President Bartlet in “The West Wing.” The answer is DRAMA COACH.17A. ATTA, or whole wheat flour, is [one of two ingredients used to make chapati]. The other ingredient is water, although oil and salt may be added. Want to make the Indian flatbread known as chapati? Here’s a recipe from New York Times Cooking.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Timothy Gaetz makes his New York Times Crossword debut.Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesTHURSDAY PUZZLE — There’s something deeply satisfying about figuring out a crossword theme, especially on a Thursday, when almost anything can happen inside — and sometimes outside — the grid. Filling in entries on a Thursday can sometimes generate more questions than answers, and things can get chaotic as the solver tries to make sense of what’s going on.But oh, when a sense of order is restored upon completion — that’s a great feeling. And that is why we solve puzzles, isn’t it? They are one way to feel mastery over chaos, even when other areas of our lives seem out of control.You may have had that sense of satisfaction while solving Timothy Gaetz’s debut crossword. I wasn’t sure what was going on until I figured out the revealer at 63A, and even then I had to use my patented “stare at the grid until the penny drops” method of solving. When the penny finally did drop — like an anvil on my head — that feeling of satisfaction warmed me.Speaking of chaos, the New York Times Games team posted an interesting “character alignment” chart on Instagram a couple of months ago. (That’s not the chaotic part.) These charts will be familiar to anyone who plays Dungeons & Dragons or has seen them turned into memes on social media. In D&D, the characters are assigned squares that supposedly describe ethical and moral perspectives: lawful versus chaotic, and good versus evil.The Games version of this chart was developed among members of the team and vetted by the puzzle editors so they wouldn’t cry when their game was assigned to, say, chaotic evil. To her credit, Wyna Liu, the editor of Connections — who also happens to be one of the nicest people on the planet — thought that her game totally deserved it.Even if these charts are new to you, where would you place each New York Times game?We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Danna Rosenberg finds a positive spin.Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesWEDNESDAY PUZZLE — Are you a “glass half-empty” or a “glass half-full” kind of person? When faced with circumstances outside your control, do you hope for the best or expect the worst? I think my outlook in such situations is generally good, with a soupçon of despair. One might argue that bracing for the worst is actually positive thinking because it means that any other outcome is sure to exceed expectations.Today’s grid, constructed by Danna Rosenberg in her New York Times Crossword debut, hinges on an optimistic expression that refers to working with what you have. Ms. Rosenberg has done so brilliantly within the constraints of her first puzzle, and I have a good feeling (optimism!) about her future constructions.Today’s ThemeWhen life gives you lemons, you MAKE LEMONADE (61A). When the crossword gives you lemons, you find they’re hidden in entries at 17-, 27- and 48-Across. And then make lemonade.A lemon lurks in 17A’s JANELLE MONÁE, the [Platinum-selling singer who co-starred in the films “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures”]. There’s another one in 27A’s TICKLE MONSTER, the imaginary [Creature that might “attack” a small child]. And you’ll spot a third at 48A in [Homing devices?], as in ANKLE MONITORS.If you’re newer to solving, take note of what’s clever about this theme: Each LEMON is split between the two words of an entry. Expect to find this strategy in clues that mention “hidden” words.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Can you solve Boaz Moser’s puzzle with your eyes closed?Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesTUESDAY PUZZLE — Some of us are early birds. Others are night owls. We are all birds, for some reason. In any case, I see these contrasting lifestyles as the yin and yang that keep the world in balance, allowing each of us a private corner of the universe. As one of the early risers, I make a point of getting up early because most people aren’t awake yet, so that the day, even briefly, can be mine.I think you’ll enjoy today’s crossword, constructed by Boaz Moser, regardless of your circadian rhythm. It makes no difference whether your puzzle-solving habits involve coffee at sunrise or wine in the witching hours: There’s levity in it for all.Today’s ThemeWhat does it mean to be an [Easily awakened individual … whose bed may feature a 20-, 31- and 41-Across?], otherwise known as a LIGHT SLEEPER (50A)?In the playful mind of Mr. Moser, the expression describes bed linens that are nearly weightless: You’d be tucked under the [Input for a fax machine], a SHEET OF PAPER (20A). Your pillow would be the [Layer that a hovercraft floats on] — an AIR CUSHION (31A). And atop it all, the bedspread would be a mere [Measure of how much sky is visible], as in a CLOUD COVER.I prefer a heavy blanket to something I can’t feel at all, but different sleeps for different peeps.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Anthony V. Grubb wears down our defenses.Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky CluesMONDAY PUZZLE — Most crossword themes are just language patterns. Perhaps I shouldn’t say “just” — I’m in awe of the way that constructors identify subtle links between given sets of words, sounds or expressions. Discovering them in the puzzle is always fun, often thrilling, and sometimes leaves me downright speechless.The theme of today’s crossword, constructed by Anthony V. Grubb, follows a familiar format — follows it to a tee, one might say in this case. There are echoes of recent puzzle themes by Rena Cohen, Ilana Levene and Scott Hogan. I can assure you, however, that Mr. Grubb’s grid is bespoke. Not only is it fresh, funny and smart, but everything in it just fits.Today’s ThemeThis one comes together slowly, slowly and then all at once. The revealer at 64A reads: [Where duds are draped to dry … or a literal description of 18-, 28- and 49-Across?]The answer is CLOTHESLINE. Each of today’s themed entries are lines, or expressions, that use clothing metaphors. A brushoff that echoes [“Go fly a kite!”] at 18A is EAT MY SHORTS (popularized by Bart Simpson). At 28A, telling someone to [“Pipe down!”] means you want that person to PUT A SOCK IN IT. And at 49A, [“No skin off my nose!”] is another way of saying SUIT YOURSELF!It’s funny to observe that the expressions in the themed clues are as figurative as the entries themselves. Flying a kite means eating shorts, and piping down (of nautical origin) is the same as stuffing a sock in one’s mouth (of World War I origin). We may be able to hop from metaphor to metaphor without ever saying exactly what we mean.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

Just kidding — Rafael Musa gives us the good words.Jump to: Tricky CluesFRIDAY PUZZLE — This is Rafael Musa’s 19th crossword in The New York Times, and it’s a fun one. The stacks in the corners are strong, and the clues are lively yet gentle enough to give a fair experience to those who are just starting to solve themeless puzzles.One of the things I like about Mr. Musa is that he shares his time generously with aspiring constructors. He has collaborated with others on 13 of his Times crosswords.If you are considering making your own puzzle, he has provided his email address at the end of his notes. You couldn’t be in better hands.Tricky Clues7A. I love this clue. It’s the language version of a trick of the light. [Something that’s filled with bad words] sounds as if the bad words are actually filling something, but read the clue again (and again, if necessary — I had to). “With” is doing double duty here. The clue needs to be read as “Something that’s filled by using bad words.” The answer is SWEAR JAR.16A. If you had “BBQ sauce” as an answer to [Bottleful at a barbecue], remember that a word in the clue cannot also be in the entry. The answer is HOT SAUCE.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More