THEMELESS MONDAY: [ ACROSS LITE][ PDF]
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Shortly after Paolo Pasco won last year's American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, he told me that since he'd already won the thing, he was going to (paraphrasing) chill out a bit more for future events, even have a beer in the hotel. That sort of thing. Pressure was off, he could take it easier. Well, rumor had it that ole' P-squared was fully in his cups on Saturday night, but I guess when you're a mere twentysomething, it takes a lot to hold you back. Because, as well all know, Paolo won this year's competition, and from this vantage point, the effort to take him down will be daunting. I mean, just watch the video of the finals (thanks, Ben Zimmer for the clip). A complete demolition of a supposedly difficult Ryan McCarty themeless in under four minutes. This done standing up, solving on a massive board in front of about a thousand people, with a couple grand on the line. So you know, that's called "not a normal solving situation." So yeah, not even beer can slow down Paolo. A truly terrifying demonstration of skill.
But how about an actual photo finish for second place? Will Nediger and "Steely" Dan Feyer finished micromilliseconds apart from each other. Thanks to Zimmer's video, a couple of judges had to watch the clip in super slow motion to confirm the outcome. Really crazy stuff, for a crossword tournament. Dan, we all know, his head's on Mount Rushmore for speed-solvers, he's still got the skills. But, Will had, in my mind, the other mind-blowing accomplishment of the weekend wherein he tore through the "heartbreak hill puzzle" of the tournament. The dreaded #5 wherein the wheat from the chaff get separated, the top contenders get a little space, and the rest of the contestants serve as cannon fodder. Will just crushed the thing in under 4 minutes, which is frankly unheard of. I'd say the puzzles have to get harder, but even then, I don't think it much matters with this kinda brain power in the competition.
Once again I was down in the basement with the Pairs division (shout out to Rex Parker and his lovely wife who won that competition). Good times had by all, thanks to everybody who came up and said "hi." How were the puzzles themselves? Mostly pretty good, I won't get all spoilery for those who still want to do them (click here and get yourself a copy). I'll just go with my mini-power rankings of Joel Fagliano's being the best, Sid Sivakumar (the #5) taking second, and Ryan McCarty with the bronze medal. Good stuff.
See you all in 2026, unless I go to Lollapuzzoola. That might happen.
Reminder: Marching Bands year TEN chugs on! You should sign up today if you haven't already! Click the above link for a sample puzzle and how to sign up.
There's also The Hub Crossword (Sunday puzzles by me and Joon Pahk) if you still need more content.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
Brendan Emmett Quigley creates custom-made puzzles for all occasions: birthdays and bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and retirements. You name it. Need a puzzle for your website or your publication? He can do that, too.
Brendan's custom work clients have included The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, BeerAdvocate, Boston Magazine, De Beers, The Decemberists, ESPN, The Improper Bostonian, Lollapuzzoola, McSweeney's, Phish, Reflexive, The Smithsonian Magazine, St. Martin's Press, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, and Andrew Weil.
Call (617) 2-999-BEQ or click 
