… Whiskey, ___, Yankee … Crossword Clue

For close to three decades, Will Shortz has been a crossword Editor. Some folks refer to him as the “Puzzlemaster”. On 3rd March 2024, Mr. Shortz recorded a message about his health on the NPR Sunday edition. Shortz suffered a stroke and has been in rehabilitation since 2nd Feb. The message also read, “I’m making progress and looking forward to coming back with new puzzles”.

After Will Shortz’s message, Ayesha Rascoe shared a clip about his condition on the puzzle segment. Crossword lovers started to send their messages expressing love. Many wished him a quick recovery. Over the years, Shortz had been presenting on-air puzzles where the contestants play at home.

Pliska also wished Mr. Shortz a quick recovery and stated the team was looking forward to having him in the show. One of the fans wrote “Will Shorts and Ayesha have been good friends while playing puzzle on air. I look forward to playing with Mr. Shorts again.” The spokesman of the NYTimes, Mr. Cohen said “We keep in touch with Shortz”. He further said that Mr. Shortz was welcome to the show when ready.

His position was temporarily filled by the chief puzzle officer.
Will Shortz was first featured on Weekend Edition Sunday in the early 1970s. In 1993, Mr. Shortz served at the New York Times as a crossword editor. He’s the fourth person in history to hold such a position. Shortz’s love for puzzle games dates back to 1978. He worked at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament as the director. In 2006, Shortz served at the Games Magazine as an editor.

At 14 years old, Shortz sold the first puzzle. Following an interview with the Times, Shortz recalled writing a paper in 8th grade as a professional puzzle maker. Despite the critics, he didn’t give up. In 1974, he went to Indiana University to study a degree in puzzles. Shortz is the only person to earn a self-design degree in enigmatology (study of puzzles).

Close to 1000 crossword puzzle enthusiasts participated in the 46th American Puzzle Tournament held at Stamford. The annual event attracted players from Canada, Germany, France, Australia, and England. It was
the nation’s largest crossword competition. Players had different skill levels, so the scoring was based on accuracy. This tournament was an opportunity for crossword lovers to reunite with friends in a fun way. Everyone was racing to solve and earn points.

The contestants had different opinions about the game. According to Jim Jenista, the crossword game offers the solvers an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere, and the answers make players go AHA! Jim added that while some people can complete puzzle games, it’s more exciting to compete against one another.
The crosswords are specifically created for the event.

Another player, Arnold Reich stated that the game was not cutthroat competitive but showed a strong sense of community. While the award is based on speed, people socialize. Surprisingly, the registration for the “solo” tournament was full.

In a statement by Mr. Reich, the attendance at Stamford exceeded the attendance at Brooklyn. The participants had to accommodate two ballrooms. For the Stamford tournament, prizes were awarded in 23 categories including the grand prize of $7,500. The five top solvers earned a total of $10,000.

Just like any other word game, the contestants had different skill levels. The star solvers were incredibly fast – some finished in minutes. According to Ron Osher, some players could write the answer even before you read your question. Those who had practiced before the tournament had an easy time. Erin Fitzgerald, a resident from Baltimore, emphasized that the activity was independent, though it brought players together. Cathy Parrish from Ellicott City also echoed the similar words. She believes the tournament made it possible to meet with friends who share the same passion. Parrish also argued that preparing a week before the event increases your odds of winning.

Most competitors came to support Will Shortz. The crossword editor was recovering from a stroke. Mr. Shortz is arguably the most celebrated crossword player of all time. According to Parrish, the legend deserves a presidential medal. In a press briefing, Shortz said that crossword players are smart and he was happy how everyone stepped up in the 46th American Puzzle Tournament. It’s an opportunity for players to celebrate their passion and test themselves while uniting with friends.