Ryan Judge’s latest crossword puzzle for The New York Times is a themeless grid that separates itself into five barely connected patches. This puzzle, originally slated for a Friday release, was upgraded to a Saturday, making it even more challenging. Judge’s clever clues and tricky hints will keep solvers on their toes.
The puzzle begins as a “Friday” but rises to the difficulty of a Saturday, showcasing Judge’s skill in crafting a fine line between ease and challenge. Each area includes at least one bit of difficult trivia and a couple of clues designed to throw us off. Solvers will need to be well-versed in history (Emperor Atahualpa), literature (Metroid protagonist Samus), sports (Turf Toe), and more.
Judge is happy to see his puzzle finally out in the world, and we are too. With its clever references and witty clues, this puzzle is a must-solve for fans of The New York Times Crossword. Try it out and test your skills!
For those interested in submitting their own puzzles to The New York Times, the newspaper offers an open submission system online. Take a look at our series “How to Make a Crossword Puzzle” for tips on getting started.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/crosswords/daily-puzzle-2025-03-01.html