Which crossword puzzle is most difficult

The puzzle NYT No. Maleska - It was a Saturday puzzle, which means it was supposed to be the hardest one of the week, but let me tell you just how hard I found it: I started it at around nine in the morning and I worked on it continuously, literally without stopping to consume any solid sustenance orally, until after dark.

Question from a random visitor: If I do download and install right now the free Across Lite software that everyone right here has been using so successfully for so long with so few problems, are there any PUZ files, i. Answer: Why yes, there are, and thanks for asking. There are four such files, as you will see if you read all of what little I have to say about crossword puzzle software, in the sidebar at right. They are the original hardest puzzle, the reworked version , the Election Day puzzle , and my own first puzzle.

The question mark is intended to warn you that the answer relies on some wordplay, so that the clue shouldn't be taken too literally. Type the clues double-spaced on the left no periods after the numbers , answer words in a corresponding column on the far right. Down clues need not begin on a new page. Include a filled-in answer grid with numbers and a blank grid with numbers for the editor's use.

Cryptic crossword. Contrary to popular belief, the Sunday puzzles are midweek difficulty, not the hardest. Mondays have the most straightforward clues and Saturday clues are the most vague or involve the most wordplay. It is also an ideal cryptic crossword for beginners to tackle. Solve it online or use the printable version. If you wish you can use the timer to time your progress. So, not to be outdone, you pick up the paper or download our app and turn to the Saturday puzzle.

How hard could it be? Fun Fact : The Saturday crossword is actually the hardest puzzle of the week. Contrary to popular belief, the Sunday puzzles are midweek difficulty, not the hardest. Mondays have the most straightforward clues and Saturday clues are the most vague or involve the most wordplay.

Some later-week puzzle clues may require specialized knowledge. A typical Monday clue for OREO will be very straightforward and drive you almost directly to the answer. And here are some late-week clues, which might require more specialized knowledge about these delicious treats:.

There is a big difference between a Monday puzzle and a Saturday puzzle. Puzzle hack : Start with the Mondays and solve as many of them as you can before pushing yourself to Tuesday puzzles.

You can thank us later. Of those, OREO has been clued in one form or another as the cookie a total of times. Puzzle hack : Solving puzzles consistently helps builds up your skills, because many crossword answers appear repeatedly.

You already know more than you think you do. You can also pick out the clues that are meant to be easiest and tackle them first.