04.04.09 -- Step-By-Step

Algorithm technique illustration by Ernest Orlando Lawrence, Berkeley National Laboratory

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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Puzzle by Matt Ginsberg, edited by Will Shortz

An algorithm of eleven entries and all of the clues is the thread in this Saturday crossword -- The first letter of the across clues spell out ANY CLUE OF A WORD OF EIGHT OR MORE LETTERS continuing with the first letter of the down clues IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE WORD TO BE ENTERED -- this directive includes, of course, the entry of LAST LETTERS (33A. Explanatory information about his puzzle is revealed by reading these in the clues); continuing with OPPOSITION (18A. Friendly side in a debate); EVENNESS (23A. Asymmetry, as in a relationship); RELEGATE (49A. Make more important); INACTIVATE (54A. Energize); GRACEFUL (3D. Tripping over one’s feet); ESSENTIAL (4D. Hardly necessary); IN SECRET (9D. Overtly); IRREGULAR (32D. Well-proportioned); TRUSTING (35D. Remaining leery of); SEPARATE (36. Draw together).

This is the second crossword in the New York Times this past year in which the first letter of the clues spell a message, the other being Sunday, November 16, 2008, which was a made-for-television puzzle (as was the recent Thursday, April 2, 2008). The "after-solve" gimmick of these types of crosswords is a nuisance in that after the solution is complete, one is asked to dwell upon it -- frankly, once there are no blank squares staring out at me anymore, I don't really care!

Remaining across: 1. Attendant, PAGE; 5. No mild pepper, CHILI; 10. Yearly loan figs., APRS; 14. Chooses badly, ERRS; 15. Lead role in a classic Arthur Miller play, LOMAN; 16. Upstate New York county, ERIE; 17. Eventful stretches, ERAS; 20. Officer’s request, at times, LICENSE; 22. Rival of Roach in early film comedy, SENNETT; 25. Wile E. Coyote, often, CHASER; 26. Overhead supporter, RAFTER; 27. Ruminate (over), PORE; 29. Determine the innocence or guilt of, TRY; 30. Orleans pronoun, LUI; 31. Feodor III’s successor as czar, PETERI; 37. Its streets are immortalized in a classic cowboy ballad, LAREDO; 38. Govt. agency creation, REG; 40. Head, TOP; 43. “The Thinker,” for one, NUDE; 44. On-call accessory, BEEPER; 47. Rakes’ shedmates, SPACES; 51. Opening of a toast, HERESTO; 53. Reinforced, SECURED; 56. Leucite source, LAVA; 57. Edit menu command, REDO; 58. Titled, NAMED; 59. Two fives for ATEN; 60. ESPN anchor Wingo, TREY; 61. Result of polishing, GLOSS; 62. Split, RENT.

Down: 1. Implement in a kitchen, PEELER; 21. Station information, ARRIVAL; 5. Expert dealmaker, CLOSER; 6. Optimists keep them alive, HOPES; 7. Parent’s challenge, IMP; 8. Part of French Indochina, LAOS; 10. State Farm competitor, AETNA; 11. Incense burner, at times, PRIEST; 12. Tears may be brought to one’s eyes, RIOTER; 13. Ever-vigilant sort, SENTRY; 19. One possible answer to “Where are you!”, INHERE; 21. Frankfurt-to-Copenhagen dir., NNE; 24. Ticket taker?, SPEEDER; 28. “How to Make an American Quilt” author Whitney, OTTO; 31. Entreated, PLED; 32. Of soundest mind, SANEST; 39 Take vengeance, GETEVEN; 40. Option for dressing down, TSHIRT; 41. Barkeep’s gizmo, OPENER; 42. Event for a marshal, PARADE; 44. Extorts, BLEEDS; 45. Nafta’s overseas counterpart, EEC; 46. Tiny biter, REDANT; 48. Entrap, DECOY; 50. Rob of “Melrose Place”, ROB; 52. Eyecup’s shape, OVAL; 55. Domitian’s “I love”, AMO.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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