The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament was this past weekend, and once again, it was a highlight of the puzzly year! Congratulations to new champ Erik Agard and everyone who competed for Stamford’s last hurrah hosting the event.
If you want to watch the live-solved finale, you can check it out here:
While ACPT has come and gone, more tournament fun is on the way! Registration is now open for both Lollapuzzoola and the Midwest Crossword Tournament.
Saturday, August 15 will be the Saturday in August for this year’s Lollapuzzoola 19.
New York City will again host the event, which features divisions for Express solvers (speed solvers), Local solvers, and Pairs solvers!
You can check out our thoughts on last year’s tournament puzzles here!
Saturday, October 3 marks the next edition of the Midwest Crossword Tournament.
The University of Illinois Chicago Student Center East will host this year’s event, which features divisions for Individual and Pairs solvers at two difficulty levels: Chicago Fire for the experienced solvers and Minnesota Nice for newer solvers. And you’re welcome to participate online as well!
Not only that, but they’re seeking a constructor from the Midwest or with ties to the Midwest to construct a themeless puzzle for this year’s event. What an opportunity!
And if you’re looking to get a better sense of MWXWT in a nutshell, I’ll be delving into last year’s tournament puzzles next week!
If you missed out on this year’s Crossword Con panels, they’ve been posted online for you to enjoy. Please make some time for them, they’re a glimpse into the present AND future of puzzles.
And while we’re discussing Puzzmo-centric events, they’re selling a Puzzmo Plus subscription for just $39.99. Click here to more details!
In other puzzle news, The Boston Globe has launched their own PuzzleMania-style publication in honor of the 130th Boston Marathon.
The Puzzle Marathon is only $8 and features 26 puzzles crafted by topnotch constructors from the Boston area.
It’s too late to get it in time for the Boston Marathon, but there’s still plenty of time for some mental athletics!
We’ve also got a few updates from the world of crossword constructors!
Veteran constructor Robin Stears has just launched her Patreon!
Robin is one of the most prolific cruciverbalists working today, with puzzles ranging from super-easy to deviously difficult. There’s literally something for everybody under Robin’s umbrella.
Be sure to check it out!
Constructor and author Eric Berlin has launched his new crossword variant, Patchwork.
This grid puzzle has entries reading across AND entries reading out in various patches that fit into the grid. So you have two overlapping chances to fill out each grid!
You can try out the puzzle for yourself here. Give it a try!
Finally, have you considered taking a class on the history and construction of crosswords?
Well, Natan Last has got you covered!
This four-session course runs throughout May at Union Hall in Brooklyn, NY, and costs $150 for all four sessions.
His book Across the Universe is a treasure trove of information about crosswords, so I have no doubt this course will be worth every penny!
Click here for more information and tickets!
Any crossword news we missed this week? Let us know in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!
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