THEMELESS MONDAY: [ ACROSS LITE][ PDF]
PROGRAMS: [Across Lite] [Adobe Reader]
PROGRAM: [Java]
There is an unspoken rule that when one makes a themeless puzzle, you don’t make a grid that can be split into two by adding one or two symmetrically-placed black squares. It’s unfair to the solver because if all the sections are separated, it effectively turns the grid into four or more different puzzles. For me, I feel all themeless puzzles are like that to an extent. Look, you have four corners in the grid to begin with. And we know with themelesses there’s really no linking element among the entries. So even if each section has a couple two three longer entry points into that section, every themeless puzzle inherently feels like a four-in-one puzzle.
Today’s however is especially guilty of that four-in-one approach. Those that know me best can speculate I did the northwest and southeast corners first and built into the rest of the grid at 22- and 44-Across respectively. Once those stacks in the northwest and southeast were done, alas, the grid was pretty much set. But hey, it has a measly 66 words; a number I had to check twice because it certainly feels like it has more. My favorite clues are 44-Across and 46-Down. And a big tip of the hat to Joon Pahk for the winner at 30-Down.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
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