Game You Can’t Stand to Win
Jump to: Tricky Clues
FRIDAY PUZZLE — Do you have a favorite crossword constructor? You probably have a few favorite puzzles here and there, but is there a puzzle maker whose work you consistently admire?
I always hesitate to say I have a favorite, because I believe each puzzle should be enjoyed on its own merits. (“Judged” would be the wrong word here; puzzles are not county fair entries, waiting to claim the blue ribbon.)
But I really enjoy Robyn Weintraub’s puzzles. They are like a ray of sunshine.
Some solvers say they enjoy being on a constructor’s “wavelength,” meaning they can sense the thought process of the puzzle maker in order to solve the clues. For me, it’s more than that. Ms. Weintraub has tripped me up a few times, but I always get back on my feet with a smile on my face. I think it’s because she selects such interesting entries, and works tirelessly to rid her grids of junky fill. These qualities make me feel as if tripping up isn’t so bad. I don’t know the extent to which her clues are edited, but they are fair, fun and full of the wordplay that I love.
I’ve always hoped that solvers would get to know individual puzzle makers well enough to develop preferences, much like people have bands, authors or actors they adore. When I say preferences, I don’t mean in the competitive sense. But when solvers get to know the constructors well enough to appreciate and seek out their work, it’s a measure of the variety of talented human beings behind this daily pastime of ours. It’s also a way to look at the craft of puzzle creation as something wonderful, something more than just a 2-D test of knowledge.
Source: The New York Times
