Alright, so today I’m gonna walk you through how I tackled the NYT Crossword. Been doing it for a bit, and figured I’d share my strategy.
First things first, I fire up the NYT Crossword app. I’m a digital guy, no newspapers for me, at least not for crosswords. I start with the Monday puzzle, because, let’s be real, ain’t nobody got time for those Saturday brain-busters right off the bat.
I always begin by reading all the clues. Yeah, all of ‘em. Across and Down. This gives me a feel for the puzzle’s vibe, like what kind of trivia they’re throwing at me. Plus, sometimes you get lucky and one or two just pop right out.
Next, I attack the easy ones. You know, the gimmes. State capitals, common abbreviations, movie titles you’ve seen a million times. Fill those in. The goal here is to get some letters on the board, creating a little scaffolding for the tougher clues.
Then, I look for the short words, especially those 3- and 4-letter jobs. They often intersect with several other words, so nailing them down can really open things up. Think stuff like “ERA,” “EAT,” “ODE,” you know the drill.
If I’m stuck, I scan for themes. Some crosswords have a central theme that ties several clues together. Spotting the theme can unlock a bunch of answers at once. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes you gotta really squint.
Sometimes I take a break. Seriously. Walk away, grab a coffee, clear my head. Coming back with fresh eyes can make a world of difference. It’s amazing how often the answer just magically appears when you’re not actively trying to force it.
When I’m really stumped, and I’ve exhausted all other options, I reluctantly use the “check” feature. I check one letter at a time. I try not to reveal the whole word unless I’m absolutely desperate. It feels like cheating, but hey, sometimes you just need a little nudge.
And finally, after much sweating and probably a few expletives, I (hopefully) solve the whole dang thing! That little victory chime when you finish is surprisingly satisfying.
Reviewing is also important, I review the answers and clues I struggled with to learn something new and improve my crossword skills. Maybe next time I’ll get that obscure opera reference without having to cheat.
That’s pretty much my process. It’s not rocket science, but it works for me. And hey, if you’re having fun, that’s all that really matters, right?
Few extra tips for ya:
- Pay attention to the tense of the clue. It’ll match the tense of the answer.
- Watch out for abbreviations. If the clue is abbreviated, the answer probably is too.
- Consider the source. Different crossword constructors have different styles and favorite types of clues.
Happy puzzling!
