ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
New York City’s Jeffery Schwartz took first place in this past Saturday’s Boston Crossword Puzzle Tournament. He decimated David Quarfoot’s upcoming Friday New York Times puzzle ahead of second place finisher Matt Matera, of New Haven, and third place finisher Jan O’Sullivan of Killingworth, CT. I believe for next year, the BCPT organizers will require the top three solvers to be from MA, but don’t quote me on that one. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that all three are regular visitors to the BEQ.com. Coincidence? I think not.
DQ built another beautiful themeless with a ton of outstanding entries, no surprises there. I don’t want to spoil the party, so I’ve blurred out Jeffrey’s grid in the picture above. Actually, all the puzzles were quite juicy. Today’s Times puzzle was the first one, written by BCPT co-organizer Joon Pahk. Yours truly has Tuesday’s, deliberately making the first half of the puzzles a bit upside down. Joon and I are usually known for making harder puzzles. UPDATE: Puzzle is here: [Across Lite] [PDF]
BCPT remains the second-largest crossword tournament behind the grandaddy that’s held each year in Brookyln (this year boasted 129 contestants). While it’s great that Times editor Will Shortz is able to donate puzzles, as well as his graceful emceeing duties, I think the BCPT could start to feature more original work. Though that is slowly changing that as Pat Duggan constructed one just for the BCPT, PDF available here. UPDATE: Will bought Pat’s puzzle on the spot based on the positive response at the tournament, and it will run sometime in the future.
Of special note, contestant Ed Brody of Cambridge, MA, composed a funny song based on the puzzles that were featured in the tournament in between rounds. I was going to ask for the lyrics, but he rerecorded it for this video instead. Needless to say, tons of spoilers in there. Might want to come back to it on Friday.
Oh, and you were asking about the Hip Tanaka reunion show? We have a video of that one, too.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
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