CROSSWORD SOLVER PUZZLE:
[ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Crossword Solver]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
As a constructor, the themeless stunt grid is a dangerous prospect. We all know what they are: multiple triple stacks in a puzzle, quad stacks, word count that is 66 or below, forced pangrams, etc. These themeless grids are like the three point line in basketball. Mighty tempting for a lot of constructors/players, especially the ones who have no right to attempt a three or a stunt grid (just say “no”). Occasionally the friend of the middle of the pack participants (these are often win some, lose some propositions). And then there’s the legends like Reggie Miller and Ray Allen, or any of the Crossword Jesuses (money more often than not from downtown).
I am guilty of being a middle of the pack stunt grid constructor. I have made some crazy stacked grids like this one. I have gone probably a smidge too low for my skills, where some dodginess fought with some stellar entries, in this one. Even managed to pull off the impossible by crossing AQUARIA with AQUATIC in this 66 worder. While they’re not bad puzzles per se, each one of them has their merits, I’d say these were desperation threes as the shot clock wound down that bounced first off the rim then off the backboard then went into the net.
Today’s puzzle has 72 words, the max for a themeless puzzle. Grids like these will never blow away solvers, take their breath away, and make them go “wow.” Instead of that, you will find cleaner grids, fresher clues on the old standbys, and hopefully an overall better solving experience.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
Very nice puzzle. But I have a question. Why does the write-up say 72 words is the maximum for a theme-less puzzle? Is that a proven mathematical fact or just a constructors’ convention. It seem that a black square at 4D and its symmetrical counterpart in the SE would add two more words, no? And why would the maximum be different for a themed puzzle? I’m obviously not a constructor, but I am fascinated and a bit confused by all the attention word-count gets on the blogs and commentary.
Excellent. I really like a puzzle where on the first pass I’m thinking no way and then it comes together.
Be still my heart – a BEQ Themeless Monday that is [Hard}…seemed Easy-Medium to me!!!
I tagged several answers as Easy, and those that weren’t were just pleasantly crunchy. Sure, a few put up a real fight, but this kind of experience is unprecedented for me!
I’m going to enjoy the afterglow for as long as I can…
Thanks Brendan.