Competition Tips & FAQs
WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CROSSWORD SKILLS?Check out this New York Times tutorial on how to solve crossword puzzles.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETITIONIF YOU ARE ACQUAINTED WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES RANGE OF DIFFICULTY:
MONDAY/TUESDAY New York Times puzzles are equivalent to our EASIER level.
TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY New York Times puzzles are equivalent to our TRICKIER level.
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY New York Times puzzles are equivalent to our TOUGHEST level.
Note: All puzzles designed for this competition are themed puzzles. Friday and Saturday New York Times puzzles are always themeless, therefore, the themed WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY New York Times puzzles are equivalent to our Toughest level.
YOU CAN ALSO PRACTICE ON PUZZLES FROM OUR 2021 COMPETITION
Print, and play the puzzles to see where you fit. Click one of the buttons below. Each downloadable pdf file contains two pages: 1) a puzzle grid with clues, and 2) the solution.
If you are unable to physically get together with your teammates:
1) Register as a team. The confirmation and all subsequent emails will go to all team members. (If anyone does not get a confirmation email, please contact Gary Weissbrot at info@CrosswordCompetition.com.
2) Coordinate a Zoom meeting with your teammates for September 24th. (If a team of only two players, cellphones on speaker would also work.)
3) All team members will get an invite to the Saturday, September 24th, 1:00 pm Zoom Kick-Off Event.
4) At the end of the Kick-Off Event (approximately 2:00 pm), every player will receive a PDF with all three puzzles, at their chosen level of difficulty.
5) When all team players have the puzzles and pencils in front of them, start the timer.
6) Do not stop your timer until you have all decided that all three puzzles are finished. If you all decide to take a break between puzzles, be sure to stop your timer until you start again. If you’re on a team, be sure ALL team members stop and start together. But remember, the finished puzzles, along with the total time, must be submitted by 5:00 pm.
7) If, after sending in your puzzles and you realize a change is needed to be made, even if it’s before 5:00 pm, it is too late. So, be sure everyone on the team agrees with your final puzzles.
8) When registering, you will a) select your skill level, b) enter your team information, c) enter donation amount, and, 4) securely enter your credit card information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSIf everyone is competing alone, what’s to prevent someone from Googling or using a dictionary? There is a 10th Circle of Hell for people who cheat at a charity event when there isn’t even any cash involved. (Does that answer your question?)
Help! I registered but never received an email confirmation. STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING. Email us immediately at info@CrosswordCompetition.com and we’ll fix it tout suite.
Can I, or my team, take a short break between puzzles? Yes. Be sure to stop your timer until you start again. If you’re on a team, be sure ALL team members stop and start together.
Can I have food, beverages, or alcohol with me during the competition? Absolutely, they are even recommended!
What if I have Perfect Puzzles but wasn’t the first to finish? If you were beaten by someone who does not have Perfect Puzzles, you could still win because 2 minutes are added to their time for every mistake. (This is unlikely to be the winner.) Otherwise, you will be sent a personalized “Certificate of Perfection” suitable for framing.
If I make a mistake on a puzzle, is it still possible to win? Two minutes will be added to your time for every mistake. If you have the fastest finishing time even with the added penalty, you could still win.
I know the Competition starts at 2:00 pm, right after the 1:00 pm Zoom Kick-Off. What happens if I’m late for the Kick-Off Event or miss it completely? No problem. Everyone who is registered will have competition puzzles emailed at the same time (approximately 2:00 pm).
Is my entry fee tax-deductible? Since there is something of value given in exchange for your entry donation, we’re afraid not. Acting as a sponsor, donor, or underwriter is, however, tax deductible.
Will I get the opportunity to solve the other skill-level puzzles just for fun? Certainement!! All puzzles, along with the solutions, the names and finishing times of the winners and the names of all Perfect Puzzlers will be posted on our website after the event.
Will I be able to participate on the Zoom Kick-Off if I haven’t registered to play? Nope, no way, no how, not a chance. Only registered players are invited to the Kick-Off Event.
How can I donate to Tompkins Learning Partners or help cover the entry fee for players lacking sufficient funds? There is a box on the registration page for sponsoring or underwriting. The easiest way would be to simply increase your entry “Donation.”
How can I find out more about Tompkins Learning Partners? So glad you asked. You can go to their website www.TLPartners.org