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Week 7 crossword alert
October 23, 2009 - 8:39pm
Congratulations to those who figured out that crossword #6 was a rebus-style puzzle. Approximately once a month (usually on a Thursday) the D & C features a rebus crossword (syndicated NY Times). It’s almost always a surprise, because there is usually nothing in the look of the grid or the clues to indicate that there is something tricky going on. In a rebus crossword one or more of the squares contain something other than just one letter … something that relates to the puzzle‘s theme. A rebus square can contain an image, a word or multiple letters. In this particular case, there were four squares scattered throughout the grid that contained ROC. In regard to finding the key term, the most important rebus square was part of MOONROCK crossing MOROCCO.
The construction strategy used in the upcoming #7 is also not a new one. Will Shortz and other editors have published similar puzzles. However, be warned that it is considerably less common than what you encountered in #6.
October 24, 2009 - 9:48am
#3
I LOVE diagramless crossword puzzles (even though my sister doesn't -- see above)!! Those are the kind where they give you an empty grid and you have to figure out where all the black boxes go. You use the numbering of the clues and the fact that crosswords are mirror images on the diagonal to determine where to place the black boxes.
I also like the kind where every square can have either 1, 2 or 3 letters of the word in it (can't remember what they call those kind). The clues tell you how many letters are in each answer and then you have to figure out how to split up the letters so they work in both across and down words.
When I get a variety puzzle book, I will always do these two kinds of crosswords before I ever get to the regular ones.
October 25, 2009 - 10:10pm
#5
Larry didn't beat me, not even once.
Better step up your game next time. :)
October 25, 2009 - 10:29pm
#6
I'm glad to hear that you were successful Shilfiell. My goal was to "challenge" not to "beat." I didn't mind if everybody solved all the crosswords, as long as they felt challenged. You admitted several times that you were challenged by some of the crosswords. So from my perspective it was a win-win for both of us.
Larry
October 25, 2009 - 10:33pm
#7
As long as you admit that I win, I guess I can be generous enough to say that you win too. :D
-kimberly
October 25, 2009 - 10:39pm
#8
p.s. now that the last crossword is done, I feel safe talkin' smack. Hope I have more chances to do so in the future!
I'm expecting a cryptic crossword, because I hate them even more than diagramless. Though neither is that rare...