Architect Simeon Seigel contributed his 23rd crossword puzzle to The New York Times, marking his fourth Sunday grid. Seigel is a partner at The Turett Collaborative, a design firm in New York City. Will Shortz, The Times’ crossword editor, mentioned Seigel’s architectural background and noted that many puzzle inventors, such as Howard Garns and Alfred Butts, share a similar profession.
The puzzle features a unique design with a theme that puzzles solvers. It comprises six iterations across the grid, each containing two entries — one 13 letters long and the other seven letters long — separated by a single black block marked with an equal sign. Additionally, some squares within the longer entries are circled. The longer entries are presented as two-part addition equations, whereas the shorter entries refer back to their corresponding longer entries.
Today’s Theme
Solvers may initially find the clues vague, but breaking through the puzzle’s complexity reveals a delightful journey through its rows. Many solvers likely began solving at 26- and 27-Across. The clue “Ansari of ‘Parks and Recreation'” at 1D provides the letter “Z,” offering a helpful start for this segment of the puzzle. As solvers progress by filling in intersecting down entries, the term “ZEALOTS” appears, which cleverly relates back to the longer entry, “TRUE BELIEVERS.”
The circled letters in the grid spell out “TUBERS,” which are not only associated with potatoes but also include various roots like jicama and dahlias. This connection corresponds perfectly to the first part of the clue, “Potatoes, e.g.,” while the remaining letters in 27-Across form the word “RELIEVE,” meaning “Soothe.”
As solvers navigate through this intricate puzzle, they can expect both challenges and rewards, with opportunities to engage creatively with the clues and entries presented.
