For avid crossword puzzle solvers, the New York Times crossword is the ultimate challenge. It has a reputation for being among the most difficult puzzles out there. And while solving a puzzle can be a satisfying experience, there are times when you can find yourself in a tricky spot. Here are some of the tricky spots you may encounter while solving the New York Times crossword.
The Missing Letter
One of the most frustrating parts of solving a crossword puzzle can be when you know what the answer is, but you can’t fit it into the space provided. This is a common occurrence in the New York Times crossword. Often, puzzlers will realize that the answer they came up with is missing a letter or two. In this case, one option is to go through the puzzle again to see if there are any mistakes you made that could be causing the problem. Another option is to use the surrounding letters to try and figure out what the missing letter might be.
The Wrong Word
Another tricky spot to be in is when you’ve filled in a word that you think is correct, but it turns out to be wrong. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve already filled in a few other words that rely on that incorrect word. In this case, one option is to erase the incorrect word and try again. Another option is to look at the clues for the words that intersect with the incorrect word. Sometimes, the clues themselves can help you figure out what the correct word should be.
The Crosswordese
Another tricky spot to be in is when you run into a word or phrase that is commonly found in crossword puzzles, but not in everyday use. These words and phrases are collectively known as crosswordese. They can be difficult to guess if you’re not familiar with them, and they can make the puzzle more challenging. In this case, one option is to look up the word or phrase in a crossword dictionary. Another option is to try and use the surrounding clues to guess what the word might be.
The Unfamiliar Clue
Sometimes, you may run into a clue that seems completely unfamiliar to you. This can be a tricky spot to be in, as you may not know where to start. In this case, one option is to try and think of synonyms for the clue. Another option is to use the surrounding clues to try and piece together what the answer might be. If all else fails, you can always do some research to try and find the answer.
The Theme Answer
The New York Times crossword often has a theme that runs through the puzzle. The theme answer is the answer that ties the theme together. However, the theme answer can be a tricky spot to be in, especially if you haven’t figured out the theme yet. In this case, one option is to look at the other theme answers to try and figure out what they have in common. Another option is to look at the clue for the theme answer to see if there are any hints about what the answer might be.
The Rebus
Occasionally, the New York Times crossword will have a rebus. A rebus is a puzzle where a single square needs to have multiple letters or symbols in it. This can be a tricky spot to be in, as you may not know how to fit all the letters into a single square. In this case, one option is to try and guess what the missing letters might be. Another option is to look at the surrounding clues to see if they can help you figure out what the answer might be.
The Conclusion
The New York Times crossword can be a challenging puzzle to solve. There are many tricky spots that you may encounter along the way, from missing letters to unfamiliar clues. However, with a little patience and persistence, you can solve even the most difficult puzzles. And when you do solve a puzzle, there’s no better feeling than that sense of accomplishment.