Gameplay: Toasting 100 crosswords on Easy Mode
Looking back at 100 Easy Mode crosswords
This is Easy Mode, a newsletter in which Christina Iverson, a puzzle editor, creates an easy version of one of the hardest Crossword puzzles of the week for Games subscribers. Each week, she also answers a reader question about puzzles and games. If you like this newsletter, you can sign up to receive it below.
Today we're publishing the 100th Easy Mode newsletter and puzzle! I thought it would be nice to reflect on what I've learned over the last couple of years. When we first started this newsletter, we didn't have a very clear picture of what I would be writing about. Initially, I just wrote about whatever crossword-related topic popped into my mind, mostly inspired by the puzzle I had written clues for. When I clued an especially wide-open grid, I wrote about grid patterns with low word counts. When a puzzle had a lot of debut crossword entries, it inspired me to write about the "freshness" of a puzzle. Eventually it became clear that I would run out of things to write about, so we started soliciting questions from readers. The question-and-answer format has been a fun one for me, and I enjoy the chance to interact with real Easy Mode solvers. Some readers have asked surprising questions that I might not have thought of myself: How do you enter a rebus into a crossword grid? (I linked to this guide by Deb Amlen.) Are there resources for new constructors? (Yes!) Does solving Connections make you a better crossword solver? (Yes, and vice versa!) What are the most common crossword entries? (ERA, AREA and ERE are the top three.) Now that I've answered so many questions about crosswords, we've decided to open up the floor to all games and puzzles, which I've always loved. I started a games club in fifth grade, and designed my first board game well before that. I've been a lifelong enthusiast of jigsaw puzzles, logic puzzles and word games. While crosswords are the biggest part of my job, I'm eager to do research to answer questions related to games and puzzles of all kinds. Thanks to all the dedicated readers who have made this newsletter possible!
Solve Friday's Crossword on Easy Mode!
In today's Wordplay column, Elie Levine writes about the especially tricky clues of today's puzzle. For expert hints, read her column here. Were you able to solve the Friday puzzle with Easy Mode? We want your input! Share your experience with us on X, on Threads or by email. To celebrate the 100th edition of Easy Mode, Christina chose six favorite puzzles she created easy clues for. We've made them free for all users until May 30. Happy solving!
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