Leslie Benson’s latest crossword puzzle, published in the New York Times on November 9, marks her second contribution to the series. The puzzle features a more complex theme compared to her debut in March, combining both verbal and visual elements that challenge early-week solvers.
Today’s Theme
The central theme of the puzzle revolves around the phrase “fair and square,” which describes a victory obtained honestly. In the grid, four shaded squares cleverly spell out different interpretations of the word “fair.” For example, the combination of letters from “Alex Trebek,” the former host of “Jeopardy!” at 17 Across, and “Deposit,” the antonym of withdrawal at 20 Across, reveals the word “Expo,” referring to a trade fair. Additionally, the letters from entries at 10 Down and 11 Down provide the word “So-So,” which conveys a sense of being fair, as in neither poor nor good.
Benson’s crossword also offers a variety of tricky clues that contribute to its engaging nature. Notably, 30 Across includes the clue “[Sent to the canvas],” which uses boxing slang—where “hitting the canvas” signifies a boxer falling down, leading to the answer “Decked.” Another interesting clue is 53 Across, where “Conjure” is defined as “[Make appear as if by magic].” This verb has not appeared in puzzles for over 30 years, with its last use being in a 1994 construction by the late crosswords creator Manny Nosowsky.
Another clue, 13 Down, poses the question “[What might make molehills out of a mountain?],” signaling a wordplay twist. The phrase hints at a literal interpretation, where the answer is “TNT,” referring to dynamite.
Benson’s evolving craft suggests promising future puzzles that will continue to engage crossword enthusiasts. Players can find the puzzle online through the New York Times’ crossword page.
