Alright, so I had this puzzle bug again. You know, the one where you just gotta solve a crossword? So I started looking for a good one and stumbled upon this thing called “the one to beat crossword.” Sounded challenging, right? So I thought, “Why not?” and went for it.
First thing I did, I started searching for clues about it. “The one to beat,” what does it even mean in the crossword world? Found some websites listing like 30, even 40 possible answers for that clue. Sounds crazy, huh? It’s not like your everyday crossword where you just fill in words.
So I started digging deeper. I found out that sometimes this clue appeared in popular puzzles, like the ones in the New York Times. That’s when I knew I am in the big leagues. I also learned about this thing called a “cruciverbalist” – that’s a fancy word for someone who makes or solves crosswords. Felt kinda cool to be part of that club, even if it’s just for a day.
Start to try
I grabbed a pen and printed out a puzzle I found online. Started with the easy clues, you know, the ones that are just a few letters long. But then I hit a wall. There were these clues with asterisks, or as some call them, stars. Turns out, those are special. They usually mean the clue is part of a bigger theme. So, I had to figure out not just the word, but also how it fit into this whole theme thing. Man, it was tricky!
Then there was this clue about a “tight end.” Now, I know a bit about football, but this wasn’t about the game. It was a type of position, a mix of a lineman and a receiver. Had to really think outside the box for that one.
Finally got it
But you know what? After a few hours, some serious head-scratching, and a whole lot of guessing, I actually started to make progress. It felt like a huge achievement! I mean, I was solving clues that had like a dozen possible answers. That’s something, right?
- First thing to do – Started to search the clue with ‘the one to beat’.
- Search more – Found it on New York Times puzzle, and learned ‘cruciverbalist’.
- Print and try – Printed the puzzle, then found the asterisk means the clue and its answer are part of the theme.
- Keep trying – Solved some clues after a few hours.
So yeah, that’s my story about tackling “the one to beat crossword.” It was tough, it was fun, and it definitely made me feel smarter. If you’re into puzzles, you should give it a shot. Just be prepared for a real brain workout!
