Crossword #6: Papa's Children
If you tend to lay awake nights wondering, “when will Bachblog hoist up another crossword puzzle for our amusement?,” you have an answer. It may not be the one you wanted (“never,” probably), but the answer is “today.”
There is a twist! A prolific local crossword constructor—a real one—recently invited me to join his group and has edited this puzzle for publication on his website: George Barany & Friends (GB&F).
George is a very talented constructor[1] and members of his group include some of the most prolific constructors working today. I have been thrilled to receive encouraging feedback from some very prominent members of the community.
I learned a lot during the editing process. George made helpful suggestions, improved several clues, and pointed out weaknesses for me to address. The final puzzle as published on the GB&F site incorporates the suggestions I was wise enough to accept. Its title, “Papa Go Seek” is a verbal pun. It is George’s and replaces my less colorful “Papa’s Children.”
Links to a “late beta” version of my puzzle are available below. This is a version I like. If you wish, you can work it and compare later with the final GB&F version. About a week from now when I post the solution here, I will highlight differences, the reasons for them, and write about what I have learned. In a couple of cases I will confess to examples of my bullheaded resistance to good advice.
The solution to this puzzle was published on Monday, February 24.
George Barany & Friends version
Whether you choose to work my “late beta” or the finished puzzle, please see the “Papa Go Seek” page on the GB&F website. Do not miss the “midrash” (to be read only after you have completed the puzzle). You will want to bookmark the site. It provides a treasure trove of creative original puzzles and new material is added often. All puzzles there are available in the same three formats I offer here: PDF, Across Lite and online.
Bachblog “late beta” version
What do you get by working this beta version rather than the finished product on the GB&F site? This one uses a few clues I liked that did not survive the last round of edits. Additionally, it preserves answers in the southeast corner that I still prefer, though in the end I acceded to George’s obviously more experienced eye.
| Download the puzzle |
| PDF copy to print |
| Puzzle file for AcrossLite[2] |
| Solve online at XwordInfo.com |
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Notes
- George’s puzzles have been published in the New York Times, the Chronicle of Higher Education and more. See his biography on the George Barany & Friends website. [^]
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The Across Lite program can be downloaded for free at Litsoft.com and runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X. I can recommend it unreservedly. It is easy to install and use, and is free of any of the malware garbage that commonly plagues freeware.
I think crossword puzzles are best solved with paper and pen (or pencil for cautious types). But I can no longer use a pen, and so am very grateful the Across Lite program exists. [^]
| DATE | TITLE |
| 04/24/2020 | #k1: Meadow’s First! |
| 04/20/2020 | #24: Roadside Attractions? |
| 02/20/2020 | #23: World’s Smallest! |
| 06/20/2018 | #22: Northern Dialect |
| 01/30/2018 | #21: Special Editions |
| 10/10/2017 | #20: Saints We’d Like to See |
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