The New York Times crossword puzzle for October 22, 2026, features a unique twist crafted by prolific constructor David J. Kahn. Having contributed 193 puzzles to The Times, with 63 appearing on Thursdays, Kahn is second only to former editor Eugene T. Maleska in the number of Thursday puzzles produced.
This Thursday’s puzzle presents seven starred clues, each of which contains answers that exceed the number of available squares. Typical of rebus crosswords, a deeper examination reveals that today’s challenge incorporates an alternative mechanic. The segment related to the theme is revealed at 60-Across, with the clue “[Forget it!] … or a phonetic hint to aligning seven answers in this puzzle with their starred clues,” which leads to the answer “NO CHANCE.” The term “phonetic” suggests a homonym, linking “chance” to “chants.”
To decode these clues, solvers need to identify the chants that can be removed from the answers. For example, the clue at 17-Across, “[*It may precede or follow ‘a million’],” leads to the answer “TOM HANKS” rather than “thanks.” Similarly, 19-Across’s clue, “[*Line used in plotting points],” offers “AXIOMS” as its solution.
The technique requires participants to eliminate “om” from the answers to discover their appropriate meanings. At 30-Across, “[*Trendy],” the correct answer is “ALAMODE,” derived from “ALAMODOM” by removing the “om.” The clue for 34-Across, “[*Weapon in ‘Ivanhoe’],” provides “LANCÔME,” which, without “om,” becomes “lance,” referring to the weapon in Walter Scott’s novel. Lastly, 57-Across’ clue, “[*Inventory clearance option],” yields “SALOME,” which when adjusted to remove “om” leads to the term “sale.”
As solvers grapple with these unique challenges, Kahn’s intricate design continues to engage crossword enthusiasts, promising an entertaining and mentally stimulating experience.
