Today I wanna talk about how I tackled the exceptional New York Times Crossword. I’ve been doing these puzzles for a while, but this one felt like a real journey.
So, I started my day with the crossword, like I usually do. I noticed right away that Monday’s puzzle is always the easiest, and they get tougher as the week goes on. I decided to ease myself in, knowing the real challenge would come later.
I began by scanning the clues, paying close attention to the tense and whether they were singular or plural. This little trick helps me guess the endings of some words even if I don’t know the whole answer. It’s like detective work, piecing together bits of information.
As I filled in the answers I knew, I used those to help me figure out the tougher ones. This part is all about making connections. Sometimes a word in one clue will hint at the answer to another. It’s like a little “aha!” moment every time I figure one out.
- First, I tackle the easy ones to build momentum.
- Then, I use those answers to deduce the harder ones.
- Finally, I don’t give up. Sometimes I have to walk away and come back to it later.
I learned that the New York Times Crossword has been edited by Will Shortz since 1993. That’s a long time! It’s no wonder the puzzles are so well-crafted. They’re made by different people, but he’s the one who pulls it all together.
I also discovered that there are other word games from the New York Times, like The Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Tiles, and Vertex. I tried a couple of them, and they’re pretty fun. It’s like a whole world of wordy challenges I never knew about.
Getting Better Every Day
I’ve realized that getting good at these puzzles is just about doing them regularly. The more I do, the more I get used to the style and the way the clues are written.
I saw some people online say they spend like 14 days a year just doing crosswords! That’s wild. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m definitely getting better. The other day, I actually finished a Saturday puzzle, which is supposed to be the hardest. I was pretty proud of myself, not gonna lie.
At the end of the day, it’s not about being a genius or anything. It’s just about having fun, learning new words, and maybe feeling a little bit smarter. It’s cool to know I’m keeping my brain engaged and learning new things along the way. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, it’s a little daily challenge that I look forward to.
