The "Swedish-style" grid (picture crosswords) uses no clue numbers. they may not be orthogonally contiguous) and that the corner squares must be white. The design of Japanese crossword grids often follows two additional rules: that shaded cells may not share a side (i.e. Most puzzle designs also require that all white cells be orthogonally contiguous (that is, connected in one mass through shared sides, to form a single polyomino). For example, if the top row has an answer running all the way across, there will often be no across answers in the second row.Īnother tradition in puzzle design (in North America, India, and Britain particularly) is that the grid should have 180-degree rotational (also known as "radial") symmetry, so that its pattern appears the same if the paper is turned upside down. Crossword grids elsewhere, such as in Britain, South Africa, India and Australia, have a lattice-like structure, with a higher percentage of shaded squares (around 25%), leaving about half the letters in an answer unchecked. In such puzzles shaded squares are typically limited to about one-sixth of the total. is part of both an "across" word and a "down" word) and usually each answer must contain at least three letters. One amazing positive from the pandemic is the huge influx of new constructors, bringing in ideas that break the mold.Barred grid where bold bars are used instead of shaded blocks to separate the wordsĬrossword grids such as those appearing in most North American newspapers and magazines feature solid areas of white squares. I appreciate Jennifer and Victor smacking me out of my routine to enjoy a puzzle with fresh ize. This way, solvers get more time to think it through as they complete the second half of the puzzle.Īlong with solid gridwork - LOVE SHACK, TRY TO RELAX, UNFAITHFUL, FILE TYPES are solid to great - it's a memorable debut. Thinking about it more, I even like the revealer in the middle more than at the end, where it typically "should be." It doesn't give away the game completely, more hints at it. The simplistic nature of those single-word themers means that they can stay out of the way as solvers figure out the concept. However, I don't think that would have provided as strong an impact. I wouldn't have made the same choices - I'd have gone with colorful multi-worders like NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, SEASON PREMIERS, ACTIVE VOLCANOES, SNOWPOCALYPSE, with the revealer at the end. Delayed aha moments can deliver such a powerful impact.
It took me a hot minute to figure out the concept, and I'm so glad I spent the extra time with it. FACE RECOGNITION - with the bonus of face parts listed in anatomical order(ish)! And how! IZE = eyes, EERS = ears, NOES = nose, and saving the best for last, LYPSE = lips. Single-worders REVITALIZE and ENGINEERS didn't do much, even for this engineer!Ī revealer in the middle of the puzzle gives away the game too early.Īnd I was confused by the revealer - I couldn't make any sense of it, much less find an aha.Īnd then it all came together. Upon first glance, today's puzzle didn't excel in any of those criteria.
We've been solving crosswords for a long time but started getting into constructing a few years ago and really started focusing on it more during quarantine. We just re-visited Hawai'i VOLCANOES National Park a few weeks ago, so we're happy that clue made the cut. JENNY: We are thrilled to be making our NYT debut! Victor and I are both Emergency Medicine physicians living and working together in Hawai'i.
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